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THE MOST REV. JAMES ROOSEVELT BAYEEY. 



A Sketch 



of 



5ET0N HALL COLLEGE 



I ■ 



fi^ 



V 



South Orange, New Jersey. 



1 895 




COPYRIGHT 1895. 

REV. WILLIAM F. MARSHALL. 



Seton Iball College. 




HEN the Rev. James Roosevelt Bay ley was appointed Bishop 
of the newly erected See of Newark, New Jersey, October 
30th, 1853, he found the diocese poorly supplied with priests and with 
no Catholic institutions of any kind within his province, save the few 
scattered churches and chapels hardly fitted for divine service. It was, 
in fact, an untilled missionary field, but one which was destined to 

bear rich 
fruit as the 
result of his 
labors. Re- 
alizing at 
once the 
want of 
helpers to as- 
sist him in 
the work en- 
trusted to 
h i s charge, 
and that 
need a press- 
ing and im- 
mediate one 
it did not 
take him 
long to de- 
cide that one 
of the first 
requisites for 

his success was the establishment of educational institutions in his dio- 
cese, and especially of one of high standing, which would serve the 
dual purpose of affording superior advantages for the education of 
secular students, and at the same time be provided with a theological 
department for the training of his own future priests. Bishop Bay ley 
was ably seconded in his ambitious efforts by the Rev. Bernard J. 
McQuaid, then a young priest in the prime of youthful vim and vigor, 




SETON HALL COLLEGE, 1856. 



which well nigh half a century of unremitting toil has not perceptibly 
lessened. 

The purpose and plans having been determined, the next thing to 
be fixed upon was a suitable location for the proposed College. Af- 
ter carefully investigating the claims of different localities suggested, 
it was decided to purchase the Young Ladies' Academy at Madison, 
New Jerse3 T , then under the direction of Madame Chegary, one of the 
famous educators of her day. The neat frame building was situated 
in a grove of willow trees some distance back from the highway, and 
at the time was thought to be commodious enough to meet the demands 
of the prospective college for some years to come. An entry in Bishop 
Bayley's diurnal August 26, 1856, reads: "Father McQuaid very 
busy preparing to open the college. The difficulties and obstacles from 
unexpected quarters have been great, but Father McQuaid hopes to 
have from thirty to forty students to begin with." Alterations were 
rapidly pushed to completion, and on Sept. 1, 1856, the college was 
formally opened. The following five students answered to the first 
roll call, viz : Leo G. Thebaud, Louis Boisaubin, Alfred Boisaubin, 
of Madison, New Jersey, John Moore of New York City, and Peter 
Meehan of Hoboken, New Jerse}\ Before the end of the month twenty 
additional names of students were registered. 

Bishop Bay ley named the College ' ' Seton Hall ' ' in honor of his 
revered aunt, Mother Elizabeth Seton, the daughter of Dr. Richard 
Bay ley, of New York City, who was the first professor of anatomy in 
Columbia College, and the originator of the New York quarantine 
system. 

Elizabeth Bayley, who was destined to become so conspicuous a 
figure in the Catholic Church, was brought up in the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, the religion of her ancestors. She was born in New 
York City, August 28, 1774. When between nineteen and twenty 
3-ears of age she was married to William Seton. In 1803, owing to 
Mr. Seton' s failing health, he and Mrs. Seton went to Italy bou}^ed by 
the hope that a change of climate would ultimately result in his recover}". 
Their hopes were, however, not realized, as Mr. Seton died soon after 
reaching Pisa, leaving his family in reduced circumstances. While 
abroad Mrs. Seton first became impressed with the beauty and 
solemnity of the Catholic form of worship as conducted in the old 
world, but it was some time after she returned to America before she 
was received into the Church, and then only after a severe struggle 
with herself did she take the step that was to separate her from her 



family and friends. Mrs. Seton was baptized on March 14, 1805, 
by the Rev. Matthew O'Brien, assistant pastor of St. Peter's, then the 
only Catholic Church in the City of New York, and which was erected 
soon after the revolution, when peace left Catholics free from the op- 
pressive penal laws. After taking this decisive step, Mrs. Seton sup- 
ported herself and family by teaching ; removing to Baltimore in 1 808 

she there open- 
ed 



a school. 
About this time 
a Mr. Cooper, 
of that city, of- 
fered the Rev. 
Father D u- 
bourg the sum 
of $8,000 t o 
help found a 
charitable i n - 
stitution. After 
considerable de- 
liberation it was 
decided, with 
the approval of 
Bishop Carroll, 
to establish a 
communit} 7- o f 
Sisters of Char- 
i t y in the 
United States. 
The site select- 
ed for this in- 
stitution was in 
the immediate 
vicinity of Em- 
mittsburg, 

Maryland, and Mrs. Seton was chosen to direct the foundation of the 
community. Subjects were not wanting, and on July 30, 1809, Mother 
Seton and her companions took possession of the convent which was 
given the name of St. Joseph, and, despite the discouragements and 
privations encountered at the outset, the community grew and pros- 
pered, and now has branch institutions throughout the United States. 







MOTHER SETON. 



Mother Seton held the position of Superior of the community until her 
death, which occurred in the zenith of her usefulness, and left a name 
to be perpetuated, not only for her good deeds, but also in Seton Hall 
College, destined to become famous throughout the country. Bishop 
Bay ley, the founder of Seton Hall College, attributed in great part, his 
conversion to the Catholic faith to the influence of his aunt, Mother 
Elizabeth Seton. 

James Roosevelt Bay ley was the eldest son of Grace Roosevelt and 
Dr. Guy Carleton Bayley. His father came of a good English family, 
while his mother belonged to one of the representative Knickerbocker 
families of New York. He was prepared for college at Mt. Pleasant 
School, near Amherst, Mass. , later entering Washington, now Trinity 
College, at Hartford, Conn., from which he was graduated in 1835, and 
at once began the study of medicine, in which profession his father and 
grandfather had both attained prominence. After studying medicine 
for one year he abandoned the idea of becoming a physician and 
entered the ministry ; with this purpose in view he began his theo- 
logical studies under Dr. Jarvis, of Middletown, Connecticut. Refer- 
ring to this period of his life Monsignor Robert Seton, D. D. , in a 
sketch of Archbishop Bayley says : "Of Dr. Jarvis he ever 
spoke with kindly consideration and often recounted the days he had 
spent in the fine theological library where the works of the Fathers 
were found in superb Oxford editions, and in many French and Italian 
ones, which, if printed with less typographical elegance than their 
English rivals, are far superior to them in wealth of erudition. It was 
there also that he found such mediaeval writers as Peter of Blois and 
Vincent of Beauvais, who gave him a new insight into what he had 
heard called a dark and disgraceful era, and from Avhom he learned 
to love and admire ' the sturdy old monks of the middle ages,' as. he 
used to say so often." Mr. Bayley was duly ordained a minister in 
the Protestant Episcopal Church, and was given a lucrative position 
as rector of the church in Harlem, then a fashionable suburb of New 
York City. During the cholera epidemic of 1840-41, he was conspic- 
uous in his untiring ministrations to those afflicted with the dreadful 
scourge. 

About this time his religious convictions became unsettled, and, 
dissatisfied with the doctrines of the church with which he was affili- 
ated, he resigned his pastorate. Following the promptings of his heart 
he went to Rome, where, after considerable study, reflection and a 
spiritual retreat, he was convinced that there was but one 



true church and that the Catholic Church : On the 26th of 
April, 1842, he was formally received into the Church by Father 
Esmund, S. J., and on April 28 of the same year was confirmed by 
Cardinal Franzoni, in the rooms of St. Ignatius at the Gesu. Mr. 
Bayley immediately went to Paris where he made his studies for the 
priesthood, in the Seminan^ of St. Sulpice. Bishop Hughes desired 
that he be ordained in his native land and recalled him to America. 
He was elevated to the priesthood on March 2, 1844, by the dis- 
tinguished Bishop Hughes, in the old Cathedral on Mott Street, New 
York City. Father Bayley was almost immediately appointed vice- 
president of St. John's College, Fordham, N. Y., later succeeding to 
the presidency of that institution. He held this position until called 
to be secretary to Archbishop Hughes, and while acting in this capacity 
he selected most of the books, and arranged the many thousand vol- 
umes that comprised the Bishop's library. After serving as Bishop of 
the diocese of Newark for nearly twenty }^ears, long enough to see the 
fruits of his labors ripen and mature, his college become firmly estab- 
lished and prosperous, and the seminary well filled with candidates for 
the priesthood, Bishop Bayley, was, in 1872, very reluctantly translat- 
ed to the Archiepiscopal See of Baltimore; he said of himself at this 
time — "I am too old a tree to be transplanted." He received the 
pallium on October 12, 1872 ; he was made Apostolic Delegate in 1875, 
and commissioned by the Holy Father to confer the insignia of office on 
his Eminence, Cardinal McCloske)\ 

Archbishop Bayley was essentially a man of peace. He disliked 
polemics and held that good example and kindness convert more souls 
than zeal, eloquence, or learning ; that kindness is the sweetest music 
of the world. Though naturally of a mild disposition, his character 
was full of determination, and when once aroused he showed that his 
nature was not wanting in combativeness. This phase of his charac- 
ter was never better exemplified than in the following instance. He 
always avoided politics and during his long residence in Newark 
never went to the polls but once, and that was at the time of the Know- 
nothing excitement. During the heat of the canvass it had been pub- 
licly said that owing allegiance to the Pope, Bishop Bayley was an 
alien, and therefore would not be allowed to vote . * ' Then, ' ' said Bishop 
Bayley "I will vote" and he went and voted and not one of them dared 
challenge him. During the brief period Archbishop Bayley administered 
the Archiepiscopal See of Baltimore, his labors were arduous and 
unceasing. The most notable among the many good offices he per- 



formed was the lifting of ' ' the time honored debt, ' ' and the consecration 
of St. Mary's Cathedral, the corner-stone of which had been laid early 
in the nineteenth century by Archbishop Carroll. In 1877 Archbishop 
Bayley went abroad with the hope of restoring his shattered health. 
Deriving no benefit from the change, he returned to America, but was so 
feeble that he stopped in Xewark, endeared to him by so man}' tender 
associations. At this time he made occasional visits to Seton Hall and 
seemed to derive much consolation in sitting at the window of his old 
room, enjoying the vista of the mountains in the distance. The college, 
which had received his first thought and most tender care in the prime 
of his manhood and the early days of his Episcopate, was the solace of 
his declining years. It was his ardent desire that he should pass away 
in the " Archbishop's room " of the Seminary building, and be buried 
under the Chapel of the monuments he had erected to himself, when 
founding Seton Hall. Years before his death he had the stones cut 
for his tomb, which he desired to be in a vault under the College Chapel, 
but his wishes were not destined to be fulfilled, as death overtook him 
October 3, 1877, at Xewark, New Jersey. His remains were 
taken to Baltimore, where the funeral obsequies were held in the 
Cathedral he had so recently consecrated, and afterwards his body was 
conveyed to Emmittsburg, Maryland, where all that was mortal of 
the priest, the bishop, the archbishop, the founder of Seton Hall, the 
man who occupies so conspicuous a place in the history of the church 
in the United States, was laid to rest by the side of his esteemed aunt, 
Mother Seton, in the cemetery of St. Joseph's Convent. 

The following letter to Rev. William F. Marshall, an eloquent 
tribute to the life and character of Archbishop Bayley, speaks for itself: 

My Dear Father Marshall : 

You ask me for some recollections of Archbishop Bayley. 
When I was a Protestant clergyman attached to Grace Church in this 
city, I used to notice his fine and noble appearance as I passed him on 
the street, his kindly, intelligent and serious face; but little did I think 
then, that for fifteen happy years of my life I was to be most intimately 
associated with him. The conviction grew upon me by what I observed 
about me, that the theory that the Episcopal Church was the Catholic 
Church was an untenable one, and it became more and more apparent 
that she was only one of the many Protestant bodies that resulted from 
the Reformation. That there was a Catholic Church I was convinced 
from the Holy Scriptures, and from history, but, where was it ? The 



Episcopal Church was not it. Could it be that despised body of men, 
for whom no better name than Romanists, or Papists could be found ? 

One Saturday night I was coming to Newark from Burlington, and 
Archbishop, then Bishop Bayley, got into the train at Rahway. Doubt 
of Episcopalianism had increased to that extent that I questioned 
whether it was right for me to continue the exercise of the ministry, 
and when I saw Bishop Bayley, there, I said to myself, is a man who 
has studied moral theology and he can answer the question. I did 
not speak to him then, but we parted at the station, and later, on 
the evening of the 4th of August, 1855, I went to his house and was 
perfectly satisfied and convinced by his explanations that the theory to 
which I referred was utterly untenable, and that there was a Catholic 
Church, a church which corresponded with its name, world wide, of all 
times, of all peoples, united with one another and united with the 
See of Peter, and through his Vicar, with Our Eord Himself. 

I was shortly after received into that blessed fold by Bishop Bayley, 
and went to Paris and to Rome to study for the priesthood. I returned 
a sub-deacon, and on the 13th of September, 1857, was ordained a priest 
by Bishop Bayley. He had come to Newark some four years before, 
so I was with him ' ' quasi ab incepto, ' ' and learned to know and to love 
him well. He was a noble model of a christian Bishop. Duty was 
paramount with him, and his delight was to be at his work building 
up the Kingdom of God on earth. He was constantly studying the 
wants of the diocese then struggling into existence, establishing new 
parishes, new schools, increasing the number of the clergy, preaching, 
giving confirmation, and attending to all the multifarious details of 
the life of a Catholic Bishop in temporals as well as spirituals. 

His right hand man was Father McQuaid, now Bishop of Roches- 
ter. If ever there was a man totus in illis it was he, with untiring energy 
carrying out the Bishop's well laid plans. It was he who assisted the 
Bishop in establishing the College and the Seminary and the 
diocesan community of Sisters of Charity — as little as the mustard seed 
at first, but grown by God's blessing into the great institutions which 
we now behold. 

And so it went on until the Bishop was called to go up higher and 
to become the Archbishop of the first See in the United States in point 
of time and dignity, that of Baltimore. Shortly after he went there 
his health began to give way, and then when every means had been 
tried to preserve his precious life, he came back to Newark, to his old 
home to die. It was sad to see disease undermining that noble frame, 



and to notice the " gradual drawing of the dusky veil." All that art 
and skill, prompted by love, could do was done, but in vain. On the 
3d of October, 1877, he died, to the grief and sorrow of all who knew 

and loved him, 
and the number of 
each was the same. 
Bishop Bay ley 
was a most delight - 
ful companion. 
He was endowed 
with a most reten- 
tive memory, had 
read much, and 
seen men and 
things, and after a 
long life I can re- 
call no one more 
delightful to be 
with and to hear 
talk than he 

He seemed 
animated with the 
spirit of St. Fran- 
cis de Sales, full 
of zeal in the 
episcopal office, 
and of kindness 
and charity to all 
mankind; not only 
relieving want, 
but speaking well and thinking well of everybody. Time would fail 
were I to go on telling about him ; but there is no one who has a right 
to hold his memory in more grateful recollection than the writer of 
these imperfect lines. 

I am, my dear Father Marshall, very truly yours, 
Newark, May 6, 1895. G . H. DOAXE 

Archbishop Bay ley's connection with St. John's College, Fordham, 
his great executive ability and superior knowledge of men, made him 
eminently fitted to be the founder of a seat of learning of high standing, 




RT. REV. MGR. G. H. DOANE. 



such as he proposed to have in Seton Hall College. He succeeded in 
obtaining, even in those days when prejudice against Catholics in this 
country was rife, a charter which gives to the college all the privileges 
of a university, and is as liberal in its provisions as any ever granted by 
the State of New Jersey. 

AN ACT TO INCORPORATE SETON HALL COLLEGE. 

i. — Be it Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the 
State of New Jersey, that James Roosevelt Bayley, Patrick Moran, 
Bernard J. McQuaid, John Mackin, Michael Madden, Henry James 
Anderson, Orestes A. Brownson, Edward Thebaud, Jr., Daniel 
Coghlan, William Dunn, Dominic Hggert, Michael J. Ledwith and 
John B. Richmond, and their successors, being members of the Roman 
Catholic Church, shall be and they are hereby constituted a body politic 
and corporate by the name of ' ' Seton Hall College, ' ' and by that name 
shall have perpetual succession, and may sue, and be sued, implead and 
be impleaded, and may purchase and hold property, whether acquired 
by purchase, gift or devise, and whether real, personal or. mixed, and 
may make and have a corporate seal, and the same break and alter at 
their pleasure, a?id shall have all other rights belonging to similar cor- 
porations by the law of this State. 

2. — And be it Enacted that the object of said Association be the 
advancement of education. 

3. — And be it Enacted that the entire management of the affairs and 
concerns of the said corporation and all the corporate powers granted, 
shall be and are hereby vested in a board of thirteen trustees, a majority 
of whom shall always be citizens of this State, and a majority of the 
trustees shall constitute the necessary quorum for the transaction of all 
business matters connected with the said institution ; the persons named 
in the first section to be the first trustees ; the Roman Catholic Bishop 
of Newark for the time being to be also a trustee ex-officio and the Presi- 
dent of the board. 

4. — And be it Enacted that the trustees shall have power from time 
to time to enact by-laws, not repugnant to the constitution or laws of 
the United States, or of this State, or to this act, for the regulation and 
management of the said corporation or college ; to fill up vacancies in 
the board, and to prescribe the number and description, the duties and 
powers of the officers, the manner of their appointment, and the term 
of their office : and special meetings of said trustees may be called by 



IO 



the President, or any six or more of said trustees, upon ten days' notice 
in writing of the time and place thereof being given or sent to each of 
said trustees. 

5. — And be it Enacted 'that for the purpose of carrying out the object 
declared in the second section of this Act, the said corporation shall 
have power from time to time to purchase, have and hold real and per- 
sonal estate, and to sell, lease or dispose of the same. 

6. — And be it Enacted that the said corporation shall have and possess 
the right and power of conferring the usual academic and other degrees 
granted by any other college in the state. 

7. — And be it Enacted that this act shall take effect immediately. 
Approved by the Governor of the State, March 8, 1861. 

The Corporate seal was adopted 
May 17, 1864. 

The constitution ot the college de- 
fines that the faculty shall consist of a 
president, vice-president, and such of 
the professors as the president, with 
the approbation of the bishop, may 
select. 

The legislature of New Jersey by 
an act passed March 17, 1870, ex- 
empted the real and personal prop- 
erty of Seton Hall College from 
assessment and taxation. 
Bishop Bayley never better evinced his thorough knowledge of men 
than in his selection of Father McQuaid, who had been his able helper 
and adviser in the organization of Seton Hall, as first president. In 
fact it may justly be said that the early success and establishment on a 
firm basis of the institution was due to the untiring energy and zealous 
devotion of Father McQuaid, who was, in his time, the life and soul of 
the college. 




Bernard J. McQuaid was born in New York city, December 15, 
1823. He comes of Irish parentage, and was educated at Chambly 
College, near Montreal, Canada, and at St. John's College, Fordham, 
N. Y., afterwards becoming tutor in the latter institution, holding this 



II 



position until 1846, when it passed into the hands of the Jesuits. His 
theological studies were made under the I^azarists in New York city, 
and the Jesuits at Fordham. Mr. McQuaid was ordained a priest 
January 16,1848, by Bishop Hughes in the old New York Cathedral, 
and at once assigned to the mission at Madison, New Jersey, a rugged 
territory well suited for the exercise of his superabundant force of zeal 

and energy. He 
built churches at 
Morristown and 
Springfield and in 
1853 had one under 
way at Mendham, 
at which time he 
was called to the 
future Newark Ca- 
thedral to prepare 
for the incoming 
of Bishop Bayley. 
He continued rec- 
tor of the Cath- 
edral until 1856, 
when he was ap- 
pointed president 
of Seton Hall Col- 
lege. At the close 
of the first 3^ear of 
this institution, the 
number of pupils 
had increased from 
five to fifty -four. 
Of the termination 
o f this initiatory 
year Bishop Bay- 
ley says in his 
diurnal : ' ' We held the first commencement of Seton Hall College, if 
it may be called by so dignified a name, on June 25, 1857; the weather 
was beautiful, and everything went off well." 

Rev. Alfred Young, who subsequently identified himself with the 
Paulist community, was first vice-president of the college. Father Young 
was born in Bristol, England, January 21, 1831. He was graduated 




RT. REV. BERNARD J. McQUAID, D.D. 



12 

from Princeton College in 1848, and in 1850 became a Catholic. 
He then studied medicine, graduating in 1852 from the medical depart- 
ment of the University of the City of New York, but later desiring to 
become a priest, he went to Paris to make his theological studies in the 
seminary of St. Sulpice, where August 24, 1856, he was ordained. 
Returning to America he was at once given the chair of vice-president 
in the new college Bishop Bayley was just opening at Madison. Father 
Young was subsequently rector of churches at Princeton and Trenton. 
He joined the Paulist community in 1861, and has since at- 
tained a wide reputation as an author, a ready and caustic writer 
and composer of sacred music. Father Young is a scholar of high and 
varied intellectual attainments. Professor James Fagan of Kansas was 
first chief prefect. 

After successfully filling the office of president for one year, Father 
McQuaid was recalled to Newark to assume his old position as rector 
of the Cathedral. On December 16, 1858, he organized the Saint 
Yincent de Paul Society in that city, which still continues and is in a 
flourishing condition. 

On July 1, 1857, Rev. Daniel J.Fisher succeeded Father McQuaid as 
president of Seton Hall. He was educated at St. John's College, Ford- 
ham and was a student in the seminary there while Bishop Bayley was 
president. In 1852 he went West to labor as a missionary among the 
Indians and scattered families of Catholics in Minnesota. He worked 
faithfully and laboriously for several years in this missionary field, but 
the rigor of the climate and constant exposure so impaired his health, 
that his physicians advised him to return East. He affiliated himself 
with the diocese of Newark on October 30, 1855 ; Bishop 
Bayley thought highly of his attainments and paid the fol- 
lowing tribute to his talents: "He was a beautiful English scholar, 
preached well, and read the gospel better than almost anyone I ever 
listened to." Dr. Fisher served as an assistant to Rev. Father Cauvin, 
at Hoboken until appointed rector of Seton Hall. He was president 
for two years and had associated with him as vice-president the Rev. 
William McNulty, of Paterson,New Jersey. 

Father McNult} T was ordained August 6, 1857, by Bishop Bayley. 
He finished the church which had been begun at Mendham, by Father 
McQuaid, and also served as chaplain to the sisters at Madison. On Octo- 
ber 30, 1863, he was appointed rector of St. John's Church, Paterson,Jsuc- 
ceeding Rev. James Callen. Dean McNulty has always been deeply 
interested in the prosperity of Seton Hall and has sent a number of 



*3 

students to the institution to be educated for the priesthood. He was 
a member of the board of trustees for some years, which office he 
resigned on June 30, 1875, his place being filled by Rev. J. H. Corrigan. 

Prominent among the officers and instructors who were connected 
with Seton Hall while it was located at Madison may be mentioned : 
Rev. Lawrence Hoey, Rev. Father Cody, Rev. Father Brown, Rev. 
Father Gesner and Rev. Father Gervais, Rev. Father Lovejoy and Rev. 
Father Kehoe, Professors Francis and Philip Ryan, Magui, Toland 
and Brady, with Mr. T. J. Ryan, superintendent of the Newark Catholic 
Institute, as instructor of calisthenics and gymnastics. After resigning 
the presidency of Seton Hall College, Father Fisher resumed his 
missionary work in Minnesota, but subsequently returned to New Jersey 
and served as assistant rector of St. Mary's Church, Hoboken, until 
Iris death, which he met, with entire resignation to the Divine Will 
April 28, 1869, in the hospital of the Little Sisters of the Poor, 
Hoboken. 

The college at Madison had continued to grow and prosper and 
already the original building was becoming too small to accommodate 
the demands of the growing institution. Father McQuaid began his 
second term as president July 16, 1859, Bishop Bayley being unable 
to find anyone whom he thought could so acceptably fill the place, and 
push to success the plans he had in view for enlarging the institution. 
Father McQuaid was also still retained as rector of the Cathedral. 

On June 29, 1859, the third annual commencement of Seton Hall 
was held. Dr. Orestes Augustus Brownson gave the closing address. 
This distinguished man of letters subsequently served for a number of 
years as a member of the board of trustees of Seton Hall and also lec- 
tured at the College on Civil Polity. He may well be considered among 
the corps d' elite of Catholic laymen who have attained distinction by 
their eminent superiority and services to the church in the United 
States. The following anecdote will serve to show how seldom a 
prophet is honored in his own country, and the esteem in which Dr. 
Brownson was held by those well qualified to judge his abilities. A 
distinguished scholar and professor in one of our American universities 
was travelling in England and during a call on Lord Brougham was 
asked by the peer, ' ( And what have you to tell me of Orestes A. 
Brownson ? ' ' The question took the professor somewhat by surprise, 
for like others of the American aristocracy he had been accustomed to 
look down upon Brownson as a vulgar commoner. " Why," said he, 
"" I have not much to say about him ; we don't think much of him in 



14 

America. Indeed, I am not acquainted with him." " Then," replied 
Lord Brougham, " I advise you to become acquainted with him as 
soon as you get home. Let me tell you sir, he is one of the first 
thinkers and writers, not merely of America but of the present age. ' ' 
The election of Orestes A. Brownson to deliver the third annual com- 
mencement address and later, as a trustee and lecturer of the College, 
shows that Seton Hall even in its infancy was not slow to recognize 
men of genius and pay tribute to their ability. 

Bishop Bayley and the board of trustees had for some time been 
contemplating the removal of the college to a site more accessible to 
Newark, as Madison was found to be too far away from the Cathedral 
for the convenience of a theological department of the institution, but 
it was not until i860 that a site was finally determined upon, and then 
only after a careful survey of every desirable location. The venture at 
this time was thought a very hazardous undertaking, the country being 
in a chaotic and unsettled state pending the outbreak of the civil war. 
The College had already begun to draw on the South for many of its 
pupils, and no one could presage what would be the outcome of the next 
four years, but " Hazard, zit forward " has ever been the watchword 
of Setonia and success crowned the move. 

One bright day in the early spring of i860, Bishop Bayley and 
Father McQuaid were returning from a long drive over the Orange 
Hills from what had proved a fruitless search for a location for the new 
College; rather discouraged, they were driving slowly homeward over 
the South Orange and Newark turnpike, when Bishop Bayley 's atten- 
tion was attracted to a large white marble villa surrounded by superb 
grounds and stately trees. He turned to Father McQuaid and said, 
" do you think that property can be purchased." "I don't know, but 
we'll try," answered the young priest with assurance and ready 
promptness. For Father McQuaid to will, was to accomplish, when he 
once set to work with a purpose in view, and despite several obstacles 
it was not long before the property was bought and the deed 
transferred to Bishop Bayley. Chief among the impediments that made 
it necessary to go slowly was the prejudice of the times, which made it 
difficult for Catholics, particularly churchmen in high authority, to ob- 
tain legal possession of real estate. Mr. Michael McKntee, of Vailsburgh, 
N. J., a Catholic real estate dealer was, therefore, commissioned to make 
the purchase, and on April 2, i860, the formal transfer of the deed was 
made to Bishop Baj r ley. 

The property consisted of a valuable tract of land covering sixty 



15 

acres, on which was a farm-house, stables, and the palatial residence, 
already spoken of, which had been built at a cost of over forty thousand 
dollars. This building had been erected by two brothers who lived for 
some years under the same roof. This harmonious state of affairs 
eventually came to an end, a serious misunderstanding having arisen 
between the brothers which rendered such close companionship no 
longer congenial, and the entire estate was therefore sacrificed for 
the sum of thirty-five thousand dollars, less than the marble villa had 
originally cost. This was naturally conceded a great bargain, and a 
happy termination of the difficulties Bishop Bayley and Father McQuaid 
had met in determining upon a change of location for Seton Hall College. 

No more heathful or inviting site could have been chosen, situated 
as the College buildings are at South Orange, New Jersey, in full view 
of the Orange mountains, on high rolling ground, one of the most elevated 
points between the Oranges and Newark, and surrounded with well kept 
lawns and fine shade trees which afford charming fields for the pupils 
to enjoy recreation and practice athletic sports. 

The mere mention of the ' ' Shades of Setonia ' ' recall pleasant 
reminiscences of college life to the old student. As the Rev. John 
Tighe, one of the distinguished graduates of Seton Hall says : ' ' Of the 
friendships there formed the link is yet unlocked. The faces we knew 
still better than our books are unforgotten. The spots where as tremb- 
ling truants we sequestered our forms from the lynx-eyed vigilance of the 
patient prefect, seem still to afford us the succor of their secret shade. 
The winding paths through the wild-woods; the broad, oft-travelled 
turnpike; the neat villages nestling in the valley; the mountains beyond, 
lifting aloft their green tufted tops, all are as fresh and fair as the gold 
gleaming vistas that tantalized our youthful vision and fed the hungry 
hope of boyish expectation." "Suaviter in modo fortiter in re," has 
been the strong yet mild motto of this institution, and it is yet a potent 
principal of government from which the faculty have deemed it unwise 
to depart. It is safe to say that few feel fonder or stronger regard for 
their old college home than the students of Setonia. ' ' 

The original College grounds at Madison were disposed of to the 
Sisters of Charity, a branch of Mother Seton' s Community, and they 
established there a Mother House and the Convent of St. Elizabeth, 
now one of the most flourishing schools in the country. The corner- 
stone of the new college building was laid on May 15, i860, by Bishop 
Bayley, who addressed the assemblage of people. This building of brick 
was, in construction and architectural design, in accordance with the 



i6 

marble villa which was adapted for a seminary. Through the energy- 
arid push of Father McQuaid the new college was completed and ready 
for occupancy by the beginning of the scholastic year and was opened 
September 10, i860, with fifty pupils. On September 29, of this 
year, Rev. Father Cody who had been connected with Seton Hall since 
its foundation, sailed for Europe. At the seventh annual commence- 
ment he was awarded the honorary degree of Master of Arts. 

About twenty acres of the grounds were set apart for recreation 
purposes, the students being provided with a gymnasium, ball alleys, 
base ball and foot ball fields. The remaining portion of the land was 




SETON HALL IN i860. 



appropriated for farming purposes, the products partly supplying the 
institution with milk and vegetables. Seton Hall grew in popu- 
larity after its removal to South Orange, and new names were constantly 
added to the roll call, pupils coming from all parts of the country. 
The students were drilled twice a week in calisthenics and gymnastics, 
encouraged to exercise, make use of the gymnasium, and in every way 
improve their physical development. Bishop McQuaid said the reason 
the Alerts won the majority of the athletic contests was, because of the 
excellent roast beef, home-made bread and farm-raised vegetables with 
which the table was abundantly supplied. The academic year then 
consisted of two sessions of Jive months each, the scholastic year begin- 



i7 

ing the last Wednesday in August and ending the last Wednesday in 
June, a vacation of ten days was allowed at Christmas and two days 
in May. There was no Easter Vacation. 
The officers and professors in i860 were : 

Rev. B. J. McQuaid, President, Prof essor of Rhetoric. 

Rev. Januarius De Concilio, Chaplain, and Professor of Logic and 
Metaphysics. 

James W. Fitzpatrick, Professor of Latin and Greek. 

James Fag an, A.M., Professor of Mathematics, Chemistry and Natu- 
ral Philosophy. 

Theodore Blume, A.M., Professor of Ancient and Modern Languages. 

George F. Klinkhardt, Assistant Professor of Languages. 

Leo G. Thebaud, Professor of French. 

Win and Wigger, A.B., Assistant Professor of Mathematics and 
English. 

F. H. Cuypers, Professor of Drawing and Painting. 

William A. S. Schmidt, Professor of Music. 

T. J. Ryan, Instructor of Gymnastics and Calisthenics. 

James Donelan, 

P. G. Duffy, 

M. E. Kane, . ! D , , , -,.. 
T \tlt r Prefects and Tutors. 

James Ward, ( J 

Pierce McCarthy, 

Leonardo A. Giro. J 

After Father De Concilio left the seminary, where he had been 
professor of Theology, Rev. Henry A. Brann, D.D., who had been or- 
dained in Rome on June 14, 1862, was appointed vice-president of 
Seton Hall in September of the same year. He held this office for 
two years, when he was transferred to St. Mary's Church, Jersey City, 
in September, 1864. Dr. Brann was also professor in the seminary, 
where he taught dogmatic theology and mental philosophy. The 
Hon. John D. Kernan, of New York, was the most conspicuous pupil 
in the college during those two years. In the seminary, among 
others, were the Rev. Michael Kain, who died pastor of Red Bank ; 
Rev. Pierce McCarthy, who died pastor of East Orange ; Rev. James 
F. Dalton, who died pastor of Bergen Point, now called Bayonne ; 
and the Rev. Charles Reilly, who died pastor of St. Columba's 
Church, Newark. Father Reilly was for years the most eloquent 
preacher in the diocese of Newark. He was also an accomplished 



musician, and had a beautiful tenor voice, which charmed all who 
heard him sing. 

The cleverest seminarian of those years was the Rev. Jame s A. 
D'Arcy, who died young, as an assistant in Paterson. He made a 
public defense in dogmatic theology, the first that had ever been 
made in the seminary, and sustained with distinction a number of 
theses 'against the Rev. Dr. McGlynn, the Rev. Dr. McSweeney, the 
Rev. Dr. Burtsell, and the Rev. Father De Concilio, now Monsignor, 
who all came by invitation to the college to object. Another semina- 
rian of the time was the Rev. Sebastian Smith, D.D., who afterwards 
became well known for his works on canon law, and who recently 
died in Cuba. 

Rev. Sebastian Smith received the degrees of A.B. and A.M. from 
Seton Hall, and was Professor of Metaphysics in the college. He 
evinced his affection for his Alma Mater by a remembrance in his 
will, whereby he left a sum of money to found a scholarship in Seton 
Hall. 

Dr. Brann tells one anecdote about Seminarian Smith that will 
amuse at least our clerical readers : " Pierce McCarthy was appoint- 
ed," says the doctor, " to defend a thesis in metaphysics, and Sebas- 
tian Smith was the first objector. Pierce was imperturbably cool and 
self-possessed, but never studied very hard. Sebastian, on the con- 
trary, was excitable and a most industrious student. He prepared 
himself very carefully for the attack and premitted quite a long dis- 
sertation before forming the usual syllogism. It was correctly made 
according to the rules of logic. The major was self-evident, but the 
minor was vulnerable. Smith took it for granted that his major 
would pass unchallenged. So did everyone else except Pierce. Dead 
silence in the class-room followed the objection. All wanted to see 
how Pierce would solve the difficulty. Without moving a muscle, 
and without condescending to repeat the arguments, or even the form 
of the syllogism, he slowly drawled out, Nego majorem — ' I deny the 
major.' A suppressed laugh followed. Then Smith jumped from 
his seat, wriggled and twisted, and abruptly turning to the professor, 
blurted out : ' Doctor, is that fair for him to deny my major after I 
have been six weeks preparing it ? ' This was too much for the class. 
Even the professor laughed heartily, while Sebastian scowled, and 
Pierce, with unruffled features, was as grave as a graveyard. By the 
denial of a self-evident proposition he had knocked his opponent out 
in one round." 



r 9 

At the Sixth Annual Commencement of Seton Hall College, 
June 25th, 1862, the Honorary Degree of Master of Arts was conferred 
on James Fagan of South Orange, New Jersey, who had been the first 
Chief Prefect when the college was located at Madison. The degree 
of Bachelor of Arts was received by Louis Edward Firth of New 
York City, the first to graduate from the institution. 

Bishop McQuaid was a rigid disciplinarian, insisted on promptness 
and exactness in every detail, laying particular stress upon students 
returning to the college on the day and hour appointed. He was also 
the spirit of kindness and delighted in giving talks to the boys and 
had a happy way of calling attention to faults without seeming 
to reprimand any individual severely, unless the occasion was one of 
grave importance and then no one could be more severe than 
Father McQuaid. " Captain " John Smith, the college general utility 
man for thirty years, recently said that " Father McQuaid was the 
only boss he ever feared." Always vigilant, no dereliction of duty ever 
escaped his keen eye, whether it occurred on play ground, refectory, 
study hall or chapel. Through the catalogues issued during his term 
as president, he spoke to both parents and scholars, inserting a little 
timely advice to the former, of which the following extracts afford an 
example. "The fact is that difficulties in the education of children lie 
most commonly with their parents; not from want of intention, not 
from want of generosity, not from willfulness or waywardness of pur- 
pose, but mainly from the want of thought. Parents should never 
put their children away from them, unless it be done on the clearest 
convictions of duty for their good. When it is done, it should be done 
with utmost carefulness and not without thought in the selection of 
the place. The choice once made and determination fixed should be 
acted upon with perfect confidence. Unless the school be another home, 
the teachers in place of parents, there can be no real service done. 
The teachers must feel, the child must know, that the delegation while 
it lasts is unreserving. Many things will occur which seem not quite 
as you would wish. When lessons press, or discipline restrains or 
playmates vex, or dinner does not well digest, complaints of this 
or that will go. Distance itself will raise doubts, weak people will 
suggest objections, rival interests will draw comparisons, a thousand 
things will tend to doubtfulness. Parents must then fall back on the 
confidence with which they started. They must consider that the in- 
fluence of the new home operates slowly but surely, very little prog- 
ress is generally noted in the first year, half of it is taken up in self- 



20 



adjustment to the locality and self-adaption to the circumstances, the 
other half in getting well at work. Meanwhile the moral process has 
been going on, the home feeling is well established, places and faces are 
familiar, the daily intercourse of mutual kindness has bred and nurtured 
love. This refers to institutions where the heart is not left out, of chris- 
tian training, of church-schools. Our way to the head is through the 
heart by grace, the answer to our prayers, our Primum Mobile is 
prayer" The catalogue concludes with the following admonition: 
" It is impossible to make children realize the importance of prompt 
and exact obedience when their parents permit them to disobey us. It is 
disobedience to us now ; it will be disobedience to them later. When 
a mother permits her son to overstay his time for one day she thinks 
to win his affection by her indulgence, but she is laying a foundation 
for endless trouble in the future." 

" Parents have the right to withdraw their children at any time ; 
They have not the right to interfere with the established disci- 




SEATON HALL CHAPEL. 



pline of the college ; they have not the right to keep us and our 
punctual students waiting for laggards who want one more day of 
idleness ." 

At the time Seton Hall was removed to South Orange, the house 
chapel was large enough to accommodate the students and the 
twenty-five Catholics of the vicinity who were granted the privilege 
of attending Mass at the college on Sundays. The memory of this 
chapel is hallowed by the fact that it was there Bishop Bayley per- 
formed his first function of ordination, which was also remarkable 
from the coincidence that one of the candidates , Winand M. Wigger y 
was later called to become Bishop of Newark. The other candidate was 
Leo. G. Thebaud, one of the first students of Seton Hall. 

Catholicity in South Orange was fostered by the presence of a Cath- 
olic seat of learing in the vicinity, and it was not long before the 
congregation had grown to such a size that with the continued 
increase in the number of pupils the house chapel was no longer 
large enough. It was accordingly decided to build a new church,, 
which would meet the demands of students and parish for many 
years. 

The corner-stone of the present chapel was laid by Bishop Bailey 
on May 21st, 1863. The sermon of the day was preached by Fr. 
McQuaid ; and Bishop, afterwards Cardinal, McCloskey, honored the 
occasion by his presence. 

The chapel of brown stone, with clinging vines of ivy from base 
to belfry, is a perfect model of ecclesiastical architecture, one of the 
most picturesque buildings in the group that makes of Seton Hall an 
harmonious whole. In artistic elegance the interior accords with the 
exterior, while the hushed quiet and religious atmosphere that per- 
vades the church invite the soul to prayer. As the years rolled 
on the number of students continued to increase ; the congrega- 
ation grew in numbers until the Bishop deemed it advisable to 
form a separate parish. It is not to be wondered that Seton 
Hall Chapel became endeared to the old parishioners, and that even 
now they will ever and anon omit a service at their Parish Church to 
attend the well-conducted religious offices in the place of hallowed 
recollections. 

The students also carry away from the college precious mem- 
ories of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed 
Mother ; of hours passed in prayer within its sacred walls where 
our dear Lord is imprisoned in the tabernacle of love, and where 



22 



they so often received the Bread of Life ; the devotion to the 
Sacred Heart there instilled into their souls, the first Friday 
mornings, when, in a body, they gathered round the communion 
railing; an Ave Maria or Litany sung at the May devotions, which 
particularly touched the young man's heart ; a sermon preached 
that left its impress on the youthful mind ; — all these are beacon 
lights in the uncertain future that opens for each year's class of grad- 
uates as they go forth into the world; — for the young priest, a bright 
star guiding upward and onward to the high-road of duty by the 
narrow path he has chosen ; to the young man who goes forth to 
test his fortunes in the fickle world, a light that casts its reflex over 
the days of his youth, and bids him be true to the watchword of 
Setonia, " Hazard zit forward." The memory of these beloved 
scenes in alter years will twine their affections round this college- 
home, where their youthful minds and hearts were trained in science 
and virtue, and will play no unimportant part in keeping their feet in 
the ways which lead into everlasting life. 




CHANCEL OF CHAPEL. 



2 3 




SISTERS HOUSE AND INFIRMARY. 



At the Annual Commencement, June 24, 1863, a gold medal was 
given in the class of philosophy for the best essay on the subject: " A 
Refutation of Nominalism and a Vindication of Realism." This was 
awarded ex cequo to John D. Kernan and John V. Kerran. The 
honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on Jeremiah W. 
Cummings, D.D., of St. Stephen's Church, New York City. This dis- 
tinguished clergyman had been a frequent visitor of Seton Hall in the 
early days of the institution when it was located at Madison, and up 
to the time of his death he evinced the liveliest interest in the progress 
of the College. In 1865 Dr. Henry A. Brann, of Jersey City, gave a gold 
medal in the class of philosophy for the best essay on the "Immor- 
tality of the Soul," which was awarded to W. T. Tiers of Philadelphia. 
Besides building the chapel, in 1863, a large stone building was erected 
for an infirmary and also as a residence for the Sisters of Charity, 
who have charge of the infirmary and domestic affairs of the college. 
This house is of rough brown stone ; is shaped like the letter T, with 
a frontage of ninety feet, and is harmonious in design with the other 



2 4 

edifices located on the grounds. It is 302 feet from the college 
building, and in case of an outbreak of a contagious disease a perfect 
quarantine may be effected. The interior is bright, home-like and 
cheery, and students who are ill receive the most careful nursing at the 
hands of the good Sisters of Charity. We cannot pass away from the 
infirmary without mentioning Sister Josephus who was infirmarian for 
over thirty years and grew old in the service of Seton Hall. Her name 
will recall pleasant recollections to the old students who will well re- 
member her kindly ministrations to them during major or minor spells 
of illness. Sister Josephus was recalled to the mother house at 
Madison, the original home of Seton Hall, in August, 1893, for a well- 
earned rest after her long labors at the college. During the severe 
winter of 1894-95 there was sickness among the boys at St. Joseph's 
Preparatory School, conducted by the Sisters of Charity. The doctor,, 
well knowing Sister Josephus' superior ability as a nurse, insisted that 
no one else could take care of two patients who were critically ill. 
The good sister willingly took charge of the case, but in her anxiety 
for the boys remained on watch over time, over-taxed her strength, 
caught cold, contracted pneumonia and died in a few days. The death 
of a true soldier of the cross at her post of duty. 

February 22d, 1864, the following note appeared in Bishop Bayley's 
diary — "Visited Seton Hall — debate — very admirable one, which did 
credit to the young men.'' Dr. M. A. Corrigan returned from Rome 
on September 5th, 1864, and was appointed by Bishop Bayley to 
succeed Dr. Brann as Professor of Dogmatic Theology and Sacred 
Scripture in the Ecclesiastical Seminary of Seton Hall College. Mr. Cor- 
rigan had gone to Rome in i860 when he became one of the twelve 
students with whom the American College in that city was opened. 
While there he made such rapid progress in his studies that he won a 
number of medals in the competitions, which were not only for the 
American College, but free to the students of the Propoganda and 
Irish and Greek Colleges. He was especially noted for scrupulous 
obedience, for his industry and close application and for his personal 
consideration for those about him. He completed his course in 1864,. 
passing a rigorous examination and obtaining the degree of D.D. r 
he was ordained a priest on the 19th of September, 1863, in the 
Church of St. John Lateran by Cardinal Patrici, thus becoming a 
priest a year before the close of his theological studies, this privilege 
being granted to him as a reward for the excellence of his conduct 
while a student of the American College. Bishop Bayley's diurnal, 



25 

November 10th, 1865, reads: "Rev. Winand M. Wigger, whom we 
have been expecting for some time, is on board the Atalanta steam- 
ship, which is detained in the lower bay with cholera on board. He 
was kept there two weeks attending the sick, and would not leave the 
ship until everyone was removed." 

During the trying days of the Civil War, when so many institu- 
tions of learning were obliged to close their doors, at least pro tem- 
pore, Seton Hall not only held its own, but, through the persistent 
energy and able management of Father McQuaid, the number of 
students so increased that, in 1865, the college building had to be en- 
larged to twice its original size. This building had hardly been com- 
pleted before a cloud arose on the horizon of Setonia, that was for a 
time at least to obscure the sunshine that had, heretofore, marked 
her onward wav 

Near midnight, on Saturday, January 27th, 1866, when the tem- 
perature was at the freezing point, and sleet and snow lay on the 
ground, the college was roused by the cry, Fire ! Fire ! and in less 
than four hours all that was left of the once beautiful marble villa, 
was a smoking mass of ruins. The fire originated in the third story 
of the seminary building. At first all efforts were bent towards sav- 
ing the structure, but the flames spread rapidly to the roof, and it 
was soon evident that no means at hand could prevent the entire 
destruction of the building. Attention was then turned toward re- 
moving the furniture, books and valuable papers. Priests, professors 
and students set to work with a will, and through their bravery and 
activity, some of the furniture and valuable books and papers were 
saved and the fire confined to the building in which it originated. 

Father McQuaid faced the exigencies of the fire bravely, but 
when it came to the point of breaking the news to the Bishop, his 
•courage failed and he showed unusual temerity for one of his calibre, 
which was portrayed in his countenance. It was evident that this 
thought was in his mind : " How will I ever break the news to the 
Bishop? The burning of the beautiful building will be a heavy 
blow to him. He may attribute it to some negligence on my part. ' 
Feather Doane having learned of the fire early the next morning (Sun- 
day), drove in a sleigh to the Passionist Monastery, at Hoboken, 
where Bishop Bayley was making a visitation, and told him of the 
burning of the marble house at the college. Bishop Bayley and 
Father Doane then went to the college to view the ruins and to 
comfort Father McQuaid. 



26 

The Bishop, perceiving Father McQuaid's anxiety, his first ques- 
tion, after hearing no lives were lost or injury received was, " Father 
McQuaid, did they save my grandmother's blue arm chair?" 
When answered in the affirmative, he said, " That's good ; we can 
build another college but could not replace my grandmother's arm 
chair." Reassured and encouraged by the Bishop, Father McQuaid 
rose equal to the emergency and went to work with his accustomed 
energy. In a few days the following circular was issued : 

" To the Patrons and Friends of Seton Hall : 

" The ruins of the burnt building are being removed. Arrange- 
ments for rebuilding the new college are going on. 

" I would be the most faint-hearted of men if I were to hesitate 
one moment in going on with my work. The general cry is, ' Give 
us something larger^ grander, more suitable for college purposes/ 
It is my intention, with God's blessing and your kind help, to do so. 

" A little plain talk, with regard to my financial means, will not be 
out of place. The new building will cost $50,000. My insurance 
amounts to §19,000 ; there are $4,000 worth of materials on hand. 
Bishop Bayley will order a general collection in all the churches of 
the diocese, which will amount to $10,000. The balance I must find 
elsewhere. I can look only to those parents who appreciate tne 
work Seton Hall is doing for their children. To the personal friends 
of Bishop Bayley, who deeply sympathize with him in the heavy 
and unexpected burden that has been placed upon him by this cal- 
amity ; and to those friends that I have found in my labors in behalf 
of education and who have felt kindly towards me for all that I have 
tried to do for the welfare of their children. 

"I, therefore, look anxiously and earnestly for the assistance that 
the wellwishers of Seton Hall may be able to render in this trying 
moment. Whatever they may be able to give or obtain from their 
friends, be it much or little, will be most thankfully and gratefully 
received. I need not add that all our benefactors will be earnestly 
remembered in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. 

'B. J. McQuaid." 

"Seton Hall, Feb. 2, 1866." 

The response to this appeal was prompt and generous. We append 
a list of those who gave donations of fifty dollars and upwards. In 
the number will be found names of those who have always shown a 



2J 

most generous spirit toward the college, and others will also be found 
there who have since attained distinction and prominence in various 
walks of life: 

Mr. Daniel Coghlan $2,000.00 

Joseph C. Butler . 500.00 

Messrs. Nugent, Kelly & Co 500.00 

Mr. Peter Lynch 250.00 

Mr. James Reid 250.00 

Robert Hamilton, Sacramento, California 250.00 

S. J. Ahern 250. co 

Messrs. Echeverria \ Co 250.00 

Mr. Gustave Reynaud 200.00 

Rev. A. J. DonneHy 100.00 

Mr. A. J. Cameron 100.00 

Rev. Dr. Brann 100.00 

Dr. Thos. A. Emmet 100.00 

Mr. Francis Mohun 100.00 

.Mr. James A. Booth . . . 100.00 

Mr. William Von Sachs too. 00 

Mrs. Briggs &5-oo 

Rev. M. Curran 100.00 

Mr. Emanuel Giro and friends 110.00 

Mr. James Dougherty 100.00 

Mr. Leon L. Belard ico.oo 

Mr. David O'Meara 100.00 

Mr. Thomas Corrigan 1 00.00 

Mr. Charles O'Conor too. 00 

Mr. Geo. S. Repplier 100.00 

Mrs. Ostremoor 1 00.00 

Mr. Denis McCarthy ... 100.00 

Mr. Christopher Nugent ._. .__. 50.00 

Mr. Joseph Donohue 50.00 

Mr. Owen O'Neill 50.00 

Mr. J. F. N. Navarro _ 50.00 

Mr. James Lynch _ _ 50.00 

Mr. Eugene Plunkett _._ 50.00 

Mr. William Dunn , . . 50.00 

Mr. James Mullen 50 00 

Mr. Michael McEntee 50.00 



28 

Mr. M. McDonagh . $50.00 

Mr. James Mulquin 50.00 

Mr. Edwin Forrest (the tragedian), per Mrs. Guilmette 50.00 

Mr. Ramsey Crooks .__.__.. 200.00 

Mr. Owen Coogan _ 200.00 

Mr. A. Bossier ... . . 15000 

Master Andre C. Reggio . _ 100.00 

Dr. William O'Gorman 100.00 

Mr. Hannibal Green . _ 100.00 

Messrs. Donovan & Cassidy 100.00 

Mr. F. Bruguiere too. 00 

Mr. J. J. Barril 100.00 

Mr. Thomas Stack 100.00 

Mr. William Mooyer 100.00 

Mr. N. D. C. Moller 100.00 

Mr. Edward Thebaud 100.00 

Mr. Delphin E. Thebaud 100.00 

Mr. Paul L. Thebaud 100.00 

Mr. Thomas Nugent 100.00 

Mr. Michael Morris . _ 100.00 

Messrs. Egan & Co , 100.00 

Mrs. D. Coghlan . . 50. 00 

Masters A. and R. Coghlan . _ 50.00 

Mr. Michael Halpine 50.00 

The Beaupland family 50.00 

Mr. Edward Thebaud .._ 50.00 

Mr. Edward Holland 50.00 

Rev. Dr. Parsons 50.00 

Miss Emily Martin 50.00 

Rev. James Howrigan . _ . 5°-oo 

Rev. Thomas FarrelL. 50.00 

Rev. Wi iliam Quinn 1 — 50.00 

Rev. S. Malone 50.00 

Messrs. Flanigan & Nehan 50.00 

Mrs. S. S. Boyle and children 50.00 

Mr. D. Eggert, Sr 50.00 

Mr. D. Eggert, Jr 50.00 

Mr. Louis B. Binsse 50.00 

These generous donations were supplemented by an amateur con- 



20 




MAIN BUILDING, I32 X 52 FEET, 1893. 

cert that was given in aid of Seton Hall, at Delmonico's, Fifth 
Avenue, New York City, April 18th, 1866, under the direction of 
Ranieri Vilanova. The concert was suggested by Mrs. F. A. Bru- 
guiere and Mrs. J. J. Barril, who were untiring in their efforts to 
make it a success. Mr. Delmonico kindly donated the use of his 
elegant rooms and among the patrons appear names of the most 
distinguished and aristocratic Catholics in New York. The hand- 
some sum of two thousand dollars was realized from the entertain- 
ment and handed over to Father McQuaid. The collections in the 
diocese exceeded the most sanguine expectations, and Father 
McQuaid was enabled to begin the erection of a new building larger 
and handsomer than had at first been contemplated. 

Bishop Bayley was far more timorous than Father McQuaid when 
it came to drawing plans for the new Seminary of the Immaculate 
Conception ; he feared to incur too heavy a responsibility, while 
Father McQuaid felt, from the encouragement already received, he 
was prepared to cope with the emergency, and was ambitious to erect 



3° 

a building worthy of the institution, but it was only by innocent con- 
niving with the architect that he was enabled to secure for Seton 
Hall the present handsome seminary edifice with a facade of 134 feet, 
with a depth of 50 feet, and complete in all its interior appointments. 
Seeing that Bishop Bayley was disposed to move slowly he took this 
means of effecting his purpose ; he first had the architect draw 
plans of what he proposed to make the centre of the building. 
Bishop Bayley naturally thought the height too great for the width. 
Father McQuaid agreed with him perfectly and took the plans to the 
architect for alteration. Little by little the plans were modified and 
enlarged to suit Father McQuaid's ambitious ideas until the drawing 
of the present structure was approved and work on the handsome 
Gothic building of dressed brown stone was immediately begun. 
This edifice is three stories high and more than double the dimen- 
sions of the marble villa which was burned; it contains fifty-four 
rooms finished in walnut and ash, with a flooring of Georgia pine, 
and is principally devoted to the use of seminarians. The broad hall- 
way and main staircase of this building are particularly notable for 
the elegance and symmetry of their architectural construction, and 
are always referred to by Bishop McQuaid with just pride. The 
marble busts of Pope Pius IX. and of Bishop Wigger on either side, 
the beautiful stained glass window, where the stairway divides, repre- 
senting The Blessed Virgin in the centre with St. Joseph and Mother 
Seton on either side, casting its soft light over the hall, at once im- 
presses the visitor with the refinement and dignity which is char- 
acteristic of Seton Hall. Rev. Wm. F. Marshall, the present president 
(1895), nas further improved the impressiveness of the entrance by 
having the old wooden steps replaced by a handsome stone stoop in 
keeping in size and appointments with the elegance of the seminary 
building. Following the precedent set by Bishops Bayley and Cor- 
rigan, Bishop Wigger, the president ex-officio of the board of trus- 
tees, makes Seton Hall his episcopal residence and retains a suite 
of apartments on the main floor of the Seminary for the private use 
of himself and his chancellor, Rev. T. A. Wallace, and for this accom- 
modation the Bishop pays to the college treasurer a most generous 
sum annually. The erection of the Seminary involved a large outlay 
in those days when materials were expensive and the price of labor 
high, but Father McQuaid was not to be daunted, the work was pushed 
forward and early in 1867 the building was ready for occupancy. 

The burden of liquidating the debt and the paying of interest on 



32 

the indebtedness still uncanceled, has fallen to the collegiate department 
of the institution which, while it has met its own necessary obliga- 
tions, has helped to defray the expenses incurred in the erection and 
maintenance of the building set apart for the exclusive use of the 
clerical students. 

In July, 1866, the Seminary lost one of its most earnest and stead- 
fast friends in the Very Rev. Patrick Moran., V.G., who went to his 
eternal rest after a long and laborious life spent in the service of 
God. As the deeds of good men live after them, he left a testimonial 
by which his name was forever to be perpetuated at Seton Hall. Be- 
sides donating his valuable library to the Seminary, he bequeathed the 
sum of six thousand dollars as a permanent fund for the support of 
ecclesiastical students. This has since been known as the Moran 
Burse. His dying wish was that others might emulate his example and 
a fund be provided whereby many students could be educated for the priest 
hood. 

Very Reverend Father Moran was born at Lochray, County Mayo, 
Ireland, 1798. He received his early education at Montreal, Canada, 
and afterwards attended St. John's College, Fordham, and was ordained 
a priest in New York City, November 9th, 1834. He was appointed 
to take charge of the mission at Madison and later made Rector of 
the Newark Cathedral and Vicar-General of the diocese. 

Up to this time four medals had been founded in the collegiate 
department of the institution. The Hamilton-Ahern Gold Medal 
for good conduct, which is awarded by vote of the students. This 
was established by Robert Hamilton, of Sacramento, California, and 
S. J. Ahern, of Elizabeth, N. J. Mr. A. Bossier, of Havana, Cuba, 
founded two medals to encourage the study of the German language. 

These medals are known as the Bossier Gold Medal and the Bossier 
Silver Medal. 

The Foley gold medal was founded by Mr. John Foley, of New 
York, to encourage the study of penmanship, among the younger 
students. These marks of appreciation were exceedingly gratifying 
to the faculty of Seton Hall, which was encouraged to proceed in the 
work of establishing the college on a firm and lasting basis. 

Rev. B. J. McQuaid, in September, 1866, succeeded Father Moran 
as Vicar-General of the diocese of Newark. 

On May 25th, 1867, the students of Setonia gave a grand vocal and 
instrumental concert in aid of the " Southern Relief Fund." The 
concert was quite a success from both a musical and financial stand- 



33 

point, as there were among the scholars a number who had a talent 
for music. The college then had its own band which was under 
the direction of Mr. Emil Gomer, Professor of French and Music. 
The officers of the Setonian Brass Band were : 
E. Gomer, President. 
Jno. Plunkett, Vice-President. 
A. B. Briggs, Treasurer. 
C. M. Tiers, Secretary. 

There was also the Setonian Literary Association, the Bayley 
Literary Society, and the Reading-room Society. 

Rev. Louis A. Schneider was admitted to the Diocese of Newark 
in November, 1866. After serving for a time as rector of St. John's 
Church in that city, he went to California, and soon after his return, 
in 1867, was appointed Professor of Dogmatic and Moral Theology in the 
Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. He served in this capacity 
for three years, until he was named rector of St. Nicholas Church in 
Passaic. He rebuilt the church after it had been destroyed by an in- 
cendiary fire, and inaugurated many good works in the parish. Father 
Schneider was beloved by the seminarians. He had a genial, happy 
disposition, and, while exacting in recitations, he often enlivened the 
class-room with appropriate stories. His knowledge of theology was 
most profound. On August 15th, 1884, his busy and useful life was 
brought to a close. 

On May 19, 1868, Rev. M. A. Madden, a member of the original 
board of trustees, and one of the earliest friends and benefactors of 
Setonia, died quite suddenly. While visiting a friend he was stricken 
with apoplexy, from which death resulted the following day. Father 
Madden had been pastor of St. Vincent's Church, Madison, for fifteen 
years. 

Hardly had the new seminary building been occupied when he 
who had labored so long and well, who had done all the hard work 
from the outset — in laying the foundation of the Seton Hall of to-day, 
and to whose energy, toil and tact the institution owed its life and 
strength — the first president, Rev. B. J. McQuaid, was called in 1868 to 
leave the quiet shades of Setonia and go forth to labor in another 
vineyard, the newly erected See of Rochester, New York. He was 
consecrated first bishop of Rochester on July 12, 1868, there he found 
ample field for his talents as an organizer and worker, and at once 
began to build churches, pay off old debts, found parish schools and 
introduce religious communities into his diocese. 



34 



Bishop McQuaid also purchased a plot for a cemetery, which he has 
had beautified and enlarged until it is one cf the handsomest and best- 
kept cemeteries in the United States. His Theological Seminary of 
St. Bernard is a large and handsome structure, thoroughly equipped 
with all modern improvements. His productive farm on Hemlock 
Lake is noted for its fine vineyards, and from the products of which 
the Bishop expects in time to support his seminary. 

Doctor M. A. Corrigan, who was vice-president, was appointed 
by Bishop Bayley to succeed Bishop McQuaid as president of Seton 

Hall College. 
Father Corrigan 
was hardly 
r.we n ty-eigh t 
years of age 
when he was 
placed in the 
important posi- 
tion of president 
of one of the 
foremost Catho- 
1 i c institutions 
in this country. 
On October 8th, 
1868, Father 
Corrigan was 
further honored 
by Bishop Bay- 
1 e y in being 
named Vicar- 
General of the 
diocese of New- 
ark. 

He expended 

the first year 

$5,000 in the 

construction of 

roads and walks, 

improving the drainage, extending the gas and steam apparatus. 

During his term of office he also made many repairs, purchased 

sacred vestments, refitted class rooms and finished certain portions of 




MOST RFV. M. A. CORRIGAN. D. D 



35 

the college theretofore incomplete. About this time Bishop Bayley 
donated to the college library two hundred volumes of books and 
a valuable collection of coins. Mgr. George H. Doane, who succeeded 
Bishop McQuaid as rector of the Cathedral, was on June 24th, 1868, 
elected a member of the board of trustees of Seton Hall, and at 
the next annual meeting, in 1869, Mr. Frederick R. Coudert was made 
a member of the board. During his term of office Dr. Corrigan had 
associated with him as vice-president at different times, Rev. Wm. R. 
Callen, Rev. Pierce McCarthy, and his brother, the late Rev. James H. 
Corrigan. 

At a meeting of the board of trustees held June 23d, 1869, a vote 
of thanks was tendered to the Rt. Rev. Bishop McQuaid, the late 
president, for " his disinterestedness, his self-sacrifice and success in 
managing the affairs of the College." The following year President 
Corrigan made a motion before the board to improve the course of 
studies. " The reduction of the number of classes, the assigning of 
more time for more thorough preparation in the various branches, 
and the giving of greater prominence to English and historical 
studies." This motion was approved and the educational standard 
of the College raised. On June 20th, 1870, Mr. Philip Corrigan 
and his brother, Dr. Joseph Corrigan, founded a burse for the 
Seminary, which is known as the Corrigan Burse. The Rev. Dr. 
Corrigan was very popular with the students ; no detail in the man- 
agement of the College escaped his attention and his cultivated taste 
was everywhere apparent in and about Seton Hall. During the ab- 
sence of Bishop Bayley at the Vatican Council of 1870, Dr. Corrigan 
occupied the office of administrator. He dedicated the College 
Chapel on February 6th, 1870, Monsignor Doane delivering the ser- 
mon and Monsignor Seton celebrating the solemn mass on that occa- 
sion. The Silver Jubilee of the dedication occurs this year (1895), 
when Archbishop Corrigan wijl return to the scene of his early tri- 
umphs and honor the Thirty- N^nth Annual Commencement of Seton 
Hall with his presence. 

On June 3d, 1871, Rev. William P. Salt, who subsequently became 
so thoroughly identified with Seton Hall and who, from the time he 
entered the institution, was revered and loved by all who knew him, 
was ordained a priest in the College Chapel by Bishop Bayley. 
Father Salt's history reads more like a romance than a page from 
real life. 

William Salt was born in Brooklyn, New York, September 



36 



fiN| 




REV. WM. P. SALT. 

19th, 1837, the eldest of nine children. In 1847 his parents removed 
to Bath, a small village in western New York, where he received 
his primary education. At an early age he was taken from school 
and placed in his father's shop to learn the trade of a carpen- 
ter. It was a hard trial to the lad, who had an insatiable thirst for 
knowledge, to be deprived of the advantages of school and he there- 
fore spent his evenings and every leisure moment reading and study- 
ing. In this way he completed the usual academic course and also 
became acquainted with several modern languages, which he studied 
under a private tutor. Of these years he wrote later when encour- 
aging others to persevere in the face of difficulties : " A great deal of 
what little I know was gained after a hard day's work, when tired 
nature would soon compel me to lay aside the extra task I was im- 



37 

posing on her and go to bed wondering if I ever would learn any- 
thing." 

After reaching his majority he began to read law in the office of 
Judge Rumsey, of Bath ; supporting himself by doing odd jobs at 
his trade and during the winter teaching a country school. His par- 
ents were Baptists, but Mr. Salt was not attracted by that form of 
worship, and in 1859 joined the Protestant Episcopal Church. About 
this time he became dissatisfied with the profession of law, and, at the 
advice of friends, decided to enter the ministry. He received an 
offer in i860, which then seemed a favorable opportunity, to teach in 
a parish school, and at the same time have leisure to study. He started 
on his long journey, full of hope for the future, for Van Buren, 
Arkansas, where the school was located. He was rewarded by being 
appointed a reader by Bishop Lay in the spring of 1861, and while 
conducting the Bishop's school in Fort Smith, also pursued his studies 
for the ministry. 

At the outbreak of the Civil War, before he could procure means 
to return North, the closing of the lines shut him within the Confed- 
eracy, and his school was broken up. By the advice of the Bishop, in 
the fall of 1861 he entered the Theological Seminary at Camden, 
South Carolina. Ever thoughtful of his parents, before going South 
he sent them a picture of himself, and it proved a great consolation dur- 
ing the long separation. Of this portrait, his devoted sister, Miss 
Elinor Salt, writes : " It is the only picture we had of our brother dur- 
ing our separation by the war, and I presume we often looked 
at it through a mist of tears that formed a halo round it. We, 
of course, saw in it what no one else could, for it represented to us 
not only the loving brother, but also the youth revered as one who 
had always ruled his spirit, who never grieved his parents, who had 
been faithful to the smallest duty." 

A year afterward he wrote that, "The perils of the pestilence and 
sword were making him prematurely gray." Later, with other 
students of the seminary, he was drafted into the Confederate army, 
where he served for nearly three years in the Marion Artillery, sta- 
tioned as a defence for Charleston, being the greater part of the time 
on John's Island. In Mr. Salt's company there were three other 
theological students, who added to their regular duties those of 
volunteer chaplain, attending to the sick and dying in camp and field. 
During this time he continued his studies, making progress slowly 
but surely, and whenever opportunity offered he sent a letter home 



33 

but it was near the close of the war before a letter reached him. 
Failing at Charleston to procure the transportation North for which 
he had applied, or to receive the necessary funds for the journey, 
which had been sent him from home, he and a friend, a German 
soldier, resolved to make the journey on foot. Unused to forced 




MR. WIILLIAM SALT. 

marches, they soon became footsore, and his companion being quite 
disabled, Mr. Salt made efforts to procure work at different planta- 
tions in order that his friend's feet might become healed so they 
could pursue their journey. They were unsuccessful, however, until 
they met with a German farmer, who, pleased with their ability to 
speak his native tongue, took them in and gave them employment. 
He at first doubted their abilities for the harvest field, but at the end 
of a week's stay offered them special inducements to remain. 



39 

Mr. Salt, however, declined, as his companion was able to travel ; 
they resumed their tramp, and pursued their way to the nearest rail- 
way station. On the 4th of July, 1865, he was at Hilton Head. "A 
waif of the war thrown upon a sandy beach, with the past a pain and 
the future a blank." From this place they were transported to New 
York. 

Upon arriving at Bath he found the old homestead sold and his 
father struggling to support a large family. He began at once to 
work for his father at his trade, but offered himself a candidate for 
orders and resumed his studies. He soon accepted a place to teach in 
the Academy at Bath and renounced finally the carpenter's bench, 
but never failed to praise the advantages offered by a trade, and 
always declared that " the saw and the hammer had done him good 
service." Late in the following winter, 1865, he was ordained a 
deacon by Bishop Coxe and in the spring assigned to the churches at 
Lodus Point, where he remained for some time, commended for " faith- 
fulness, zeal and usefulness." Arrangements had been made for him 
to pursue his studies at Geneva, New York, and take temporary charge 
of Grace Church, but he had for some time doubted the tenets of the 
Episcopal Church, and he entered into an investigation. "When con- 
vinced of the authority of the Catholic Church to teach," he said, " then 
all doubt vanished ; my duty was clearly defined." He left Geneva 
for New York City, where in October 12, 1867, he was baptized by 
Rt. Rev. Monsignor Preston at St. Ann's Church. That this step was 
not a hasty one is shown by letters written the year previous and by 
remembered conversations with friends to whom he had expressed his 
doubts and perplexities. When confronted with the fact that from his 
mother he inherited the blood of Welsh Dissenters and French 
Huguenot and from his father that of English Quaker, Scotch-Irish 
Presbyterian and Holland Puritan as an argument against his sanity 
because he became "one of the despised papists," he simply replied, 
" Go back far enough and you will find that my ancestors were all 
Catholics." Very soon after his baptism Mr. Salt entered the semin- 
ary at Seton Hall. While expressing his sorrow at crossing his father's 
wishes in studying for the priesthood he wrote home, "I should not 
be content anywhere else. I feel that the past has produced no fruit 
and it is time for my life-work to begin." 

After a brief course of study of philosophy at Seton Hall, Mr. Salt 
was sent by Bishop Bayley to the American College at Rome to make 
his theological studies. He was in the Eternal City during the tur- 



4 o 

bulent times, when Garibaldi attacked the city and despoiled the 
Church of its temporal power and imprisoned the aged Pontiff, Pius 
IX. Mr. Salt on this occasion displayed the fire that was in his 
nature, by proposing to volunteer in the Papal Zouaves. In after years 
he must have had that experience in mind when he wrote the follow- 
ing in a sermon on the virtue of hope : 

" On one of the plains of Italy lies a young soldier, with his life 
blood slowly ebbing away, while the only sound which comes to his 
ears above the roar of the battle is the bugle sounding a retreat to his 
comrades. That morning he had gone out to battle, with a conscience 
free from sin, and with his life, his all, offered to God and his Church 
in defence of Christ's Vicar on earth, and now though that sound, the 
most painful to the soldier, is ringing in his ears — the call to retreat — 
yet a light of joy is in his countenance, for his last sigh is an act of con- 
trition and he knows that he is going home to his reward." 

Mr. Salt's health failed him in Rome and he was obliged to return 
to America before completing his theological studies. He returned 
to Seton Hall, continued his course and was ordained a priest June 
3, 1871. 

Soon after ordination he was appointed Professor of Logic at Seton 
Hall. He afterwards filled various chairs, including Ecclesiastical 
History, Political Economy, Civil Polity, Christian Evidences, Math- 
ematics, Physics and Chemistry. He was Director of the Seminary 
and Treasurer for many years during the presidency of Dr. Corrigan 
and Rev. J. H. Corrigan, and was made Vicar-General of the Diocese 
of Newark by Bishop Wigger. 

On account of failing health in September, 1881, he resigned the 
office of treasurer and the Rev. William F. Marshall was appointed 
his successor. The parting between Fr. Salt and Mr. Crater, the 
cashier of the National Newark Banking Company, where the College 
account had been kept for many years, was most affecting and a 
pleasant surprise to Fr. Salt, who had taken the new treasurer to the 
bank to introduce him to the officials. 

Mr. Crater, in bidding good by, shook Father Salt's hand most 
cordially and said that his dealings with the bank had always been so 
very honorable and straightforward, and the social meetings so pleas- 
ant, that he regretted exceedingly that the relations were to be severed, 
and the gentleman involuntarily gave proof of his sincerity by wiping 
away a few tears. This may seem to be an unusual scene at a bank, 
as tears from bank officers are usually produced by causes the oppo- 



4i 

site of honesty and integrity. Father Salt was touched at this evi- 
dence of esteem from Mr. Crater, who was regarded as a cold, distant 
and over-cautious man. In defence of these charges Fr. Salt once 
said : " Well, I feel that our funds are safe in such a man's hands. I 
would rather have a faithful watch dog to guard my property than a 
little pup with ever wagging tail." 

Father Salt continued to teach and direct the affairs of the Semi- 
nary until within two years of his death, which occurred on Oct. 7, 
1891. He received the holy viaticum at mass that morning from the 
hand of Rev. Dennis McCartie, in the private chapel, and came down 
to the dining room for breakfast. When seated at the table he gave 
signs of suffering, and begging the Rev. Father to excuse him, he left, 
and while walking along the corridor on the second floor was seized 
with a hemorrhage of the lungs and was falling to the floor from 
weakness when the Rev. John J. O'Connor saw him and hastened to 
his assistance. Father O'Connor quickly perceived that Fr. Salt was 
dying and administered to him the Sacrament of Extreme Unction. 
In a few moments the holy man expired. 

He was buried from Seton Hall Chapel and the ceremonies were 
most impressive. 

His aged father and mother were present, and a few other mem- 
bers of his family, and about seventy priests of the Dioceses of Newark 
and Trenton. 

The Mass was celebrated by the Rev. J. J. O'Connor, the sermon 
preached by Mgr. Doane, and Bishop Wigger pronounced the 
absolution. 

He bequeathed to Seton Hall his large and well-selected library. 

Fr. Salt's remains were laid at rest, as he had requested, in the 
Cemetery of the Holy Sepulchre in Newark. The grave is sur- 
mounted by a neat marble monument which was erected by Bishop 
Wigger. 

The perfume of Father Salt's memory is as sweet and fresh to-day 
as it was on the day he pillowed his head on the broad, soft bosom of 
death and passed over the bridgeless river to the longed-for valley of 
rest. The recollection of his gentle life is as grateful as the breath of 
a melody, as wholesome as the hand of benediction. " Lord ! keep 
my memory green," said the old man, when life's sun was going down 
to rise no more. Father Salt's memory would live, though he had 
prayed that it might die. It is enshrined in the core of many hearts, 
and shall be reverently cherished until those hearts are pulseless and 



4 2 

still. To know him was to love him, and remembrance is the flower 
of love — a flower that blossoms w T ith perennial bloom. 

His character was as clear as sunlight. If simplicity is greatness, 
then indeed was he a great man. He was open as the day and as 
constant as the pole star. Evasion, indirection and equivocation were 
as repellent to his soul as darkness to light. He was a whole man in 
all the contents and attributes of manhood. His courage, his honesty, 
his frankness, his unfailing courtesy, won him the respect, the confi- 
dence, the admiration of all. 

He was a mirror of true manhood and a model for imitation. His 
was a pure life, a pattern and exemplar for the army of soldiers he 
trained for God's sanctuary in the seminary he graced and elevated 
by his guidance. 

If silence is greatness, as Carlyle thinks it is, on this count, also, 
was he a great man. 

It was the silence of a contained and peaceful soul, where was 
neither war, nor schism between the passions and the reason. The 
chalice of suffering, in its direst fullness, was lifted to his lips, and he 
quaffed it in silent thankfulness and gratitude. There was about him 
a rosy resignation that made death too serene for sorrow, too beauti- 
ful for fear. 

The great man never whines. Father Salt made no moan nor 
sign ; he suffered and was strong ; meek and uncomplaining to the 
last, a man of heroic endurance; of him the apostle's words were ver- 
ified — In infirmitate perficitur. 

As a teacher he was careful, exact, conscientious, practical. He 
had a strong logical turn, a power of keen analysis, and great faculty 
for condensation. Superfluous issues he avoided with infallible 
instinct ; he struck straight at the heart of the subject, and never wea- 
ried his pupils with irrelevant discussions. He inspired a certain fear, 
but it was reverential, and was tempered with respect and confidence. 

His learning was solid and accurate and varied, but he did not 
parade it. A certain bishop once remarked : " I lived several years in 
the house with him before I knew he was acquainted with my native 
tongue." His pupils loved him and bore frequent testimony of their 
affection. 

As a priest, Father Salt honored his calling almost as much as it 
honored him. The altar of God had in him a faithful servitor, and his 
delight was in the sanctuary. Alight and force went out from his 
person as he stood before the altar that formed a wealth of comfort and 



43 

inspiration to many priests to this day. Ever before hirn, on his desk, 
written in his own hand, was the following rule of life : " The perfec- 
tions of God, of which the priest should be the image, are patience, 
wisdom, sweetness, charity, sanctity, strength, stability. The priest's 
life should be such that men will be induced by their example to imi- 
tate God in this life, while waiting in the hope of seeing and possess- 
ing Him in the future life. 

" One object of the incarnation was to give man an example of a 
perfect life. This our Lord did, and left His priests to continue the 
work of making known the perfections of God, of rendering these 
perfections visible in their lives." 

It was thought by some that he lacked the gift of sympathy. It was 
not so. His sympathy was swift and tender, but, like all the deep- 
hidden currents of life, it flowed silently. 

He had a sovereign scorn for pretence and affectation, and sternly 
rebuked it, but his inner heart was ever deeply stirred by the sorrows 
of his fellow men. But his feelings and emotions were all under the 
reign of reason. Reason was sovereign — the queen of his faculties. 
Reason was the road that led him into the temple of truth, and made 
him renounce the negations of a creedless Christianity. Reason was 
the guide by which he governed men, strongly, sweetly, efficaciously. 
Reason was the rule that regulated the kingdom of his own soul- 
Reason was to him God's morning star. 

Father Salt combined in his well-rounded character every salient 
principle of goodness and lovableness. 

In 1870 the Rt. Reverend Robert Seton, D.D., Prothonotary 
Apostolic, founded a prize in the Senior Class of Christian Doctrine 
to be known as the Seton Prize. On June 21st, 1871, Rt. Rev. Bishop 
Bayley founded the Greek Prize, in the Senior Class. At the 
same time Henry James Anderson of New York City founded the 
Latin Prize in the Senior Class, and the Rt. Rev. B. J. McQuaid, D.D., 
Bishop of Rochester, founded the Prize of Philosophy in the Senior 
Class. The junior Philosophical Prize was also founded in this 
year, together with the Oratorical Prize, by the Very Reverend P. 
Byrne of Trenton, New Jersey, and the Prize for Natural Science, by 
Mr. P. Barry of Rochester, New York. The Prize for the best Reci- 
tation in the Freshman Class was, in 1871, founded by Rev. Doctor 
Corrigan, the President of the College. 

The following note appears on Bishop Bayley's diary, Aug. 8th, 
1 87 1 : " Visited Madison. Had some very pleasant conversation 



44 

with Monsignor Seton, the chaplain, a young man of wonderful in- 
formation, and is familiar with everything connected with Rome, its 
history, families, etc." 

The Ethical Prize was founded in 1872, by the Very Reverend 
Thomas A. Preston of New York City. 

The Historical Prize was founded June, 1872, by Mrs. Peter 
Bruner of New York City. 

In the following departments of study gold medals were specially 
awarded for the academic year, 1872-73, viz. : 

The Prize in the class of Bible History, by the Very Reverend G. 
H. Doane, V.G., Newark, New Jersey. The prize for the best English 
Essay in the Senior Class, by Reverend Edward McGlynn, D.D., of 
St. Stephen's Church, New York City. The prize in Civil Polity, by 
Reverend J. Crimmins, Long Island City, New York, for which in 
1874 he established a permanent fund ; and the prize in the class of 
Political Economy, by Reverend J. J. Griffin, Manhattanville, New 
York. This may aptly be called the " medal era " of Seton Hall. 
The medal for good conduct is decided by the vote of the students. 
All the other medals are awarded by the good marks for daily reci- 
tations throughout the year together with a competitive examination 
at the end of the second term. 

The Rev. Sebastian Gebhard Messmer came to Seton Hall, Nov. 
17th, 1871, from the Jesuit College at Innsbruck to fill the chair of 
Scripture and Canon Law. To the old graduates of Seton Hall no 
name brings up happier recollections than that of Sebastian Gebhard 
Messmer. Eighteen years of his busy life found a sphere of usefulness 
in and about the college. A thorough scholar and a humble man, he was 
equally at home in the lecture hall of the seminary or on the lawn of 
St. Mary's Orphan Asylum near by, where he was almost a daily visitor, 
and, if his disciples were delighted to be under the guidance of such 
a master, the orphans were no less enthusiastic over the good priest 
who found his joy in whatever might add to theirs. Sebastian 
Gebhard Messmer was born August 27th, 1847, at Goldach, Canton 
of St. Gall, Switzerland, the son of Rosa Baumgartner and 
Sebastian G. Messmer, a farmer. On completing his course at 
the Realschule of Roeschbach, near his native village, where he had 
as a companion his life-long friend, Mr. Otto Zardetti, now Arch- 
bishop of Buccarest, he entered, in 1861, the ecclesiastical seminary 
of St. George near St. Gall. In 1866 he went to Innsbruck to make 
his studies in philosophy and theology. He was ordained a priest in 



45 

the Jesuit Chapel at Innsbruck on July 23, 1871, by Bishop Zaber, 
formerly Vicar Apostolic, in East India. Father Messmer was or- 
dained for the Diocese of Newark, the necessary papers having been 
brought to Innsbruck by Monsignor Doane, who was returning from 
the Passion Play at Oberammergau. His first Mass was said at his 
old home on St. Ignatius' day. 




RT. REV. SEBASTIAN G. MESSMER, D.D. 

Father Messmer arrived in New York City October 4th, 1871, and 
was at once appointed professor to Seton Hall by Bishop Bayley, and 
during his long residence there filled at different times the chairs of 
Sacred Scripture, Canon Law and Dogmatic and Moral Theology. 
Those who went forth from his lecture room look back with pleasure 
to the hours spent therein, and they will ever remember his kindly 



4 6 

efforts to bridge over some incongruous reply with, — " Well, in one 
way that might be right." Just what that "one way " was no one 
ever discovered, but the ignorance of that fact lends greater lustre 
to the charity of the excuse. Old students will well remember him 
as the Diocesian Master of Ceremonies. 

When Father Messmer first came to Seton Hall, he found consider- 
able difficulty in expressing himself in the English language and 
frequently made use of the dictionary and writing to make himself 
understood. Not always conjecturing the right meaning of the word he 
wanted, he often made mistakes that were laughable and which he 
enjoyed as well as anyone else. One instance is recalled to mind of an 
occasion when he wished his boots blacked ; the right word would 
not come and the dictionary was brought into requisition. This time it 
proved a fickle friend and the laugh was on Father Messmer when his 
boots were found the next morning with his original note pinned to 
them, " Please japan my boots." He succeeded Fr. Schandel as 
Chaplain of St. Mary's Orphan Asylum and continued his good offices 
there until 1885, when he was placed in charge of St. Peter's Church, 
Newark. He had previously been rector of St. Leo's Church, Irvington; 
and from February, 1889 until August of the same year, he was rector 
of St. Venantin's Church, Orange, when he was called to become 
Professor of Canon Law in the Catholic University at Washington : 
But during all this time, he retained his residence at Seton Hall and 
professorship in the theological Seminary. Father Messmer was twice 
secretary at the Diocesan Synod, once moderator of conferences, 
assistant secretary in 1883 at the Provincial Council, New York, and 
in 1884, third secretary of the Baltimore Plenary Council. After the 
publication of the Acts and Decrees of this Council Father Messmer 
was specially honored by the Holy Father Leo XIII., who personally 
conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. 

After receiving the appointment of Professor of Canon Law in the 
Catholic University at Washington, Dr. Messmer left Seton Hall, 
August 7th, 1889, and sailed for Europe. Eight months of his 
absence were spent in Rome, perfecting his already thorough know- 
ledge of canon law. During this time he had the pleasure of hear- 
ing Professor Giustini at the Apollinari College lecture on Roman 
civil (Justinian) law. In June, 1890, he received the degree of Doctor 
of Canon Law, and in September of the same year began his 
lectures at the Catholic University. He here showed himself to be 
not only thoroughly familiar with canon law, but also to have a 



47 

perfect knowledge of the civil law of the United States and to 
possess a comprehensive understanding of the peculiar circumstances 
which environ the Catholic Church in America. 

On Dec. 14th, 1891, Dr. Messmer was appointed Bishop of Green 
Bay, Wisconsin, to succeed Bishop Katzer who had been made 
Archbishop of Milwaukee. Dr. Messmer, through Archbishop 
Katzer, requested the Pope to name some one else for the bishopric 
of Green Bay. The Pope declined and Dr. Messmer was reluctantly 
obliged to undertake the duties of a bishop. He was consecrated 
at St. Peter's Church, Newark, on March 27th, 1892, by his life, 
long friend Bishop Zardetti, Rt. Rev. Bishops Wigger and Keane 
were assistant prelates, the sermon was preached by Bishop McQuaid, 
and Seton Hall had still another mitred representative present, in 
the person of Archbishop Corrigan. Bishop McQuaid paid a 
touching tribute to the life and character of Dr. Messmer. He 
described him as a child of Switzerland, grown up in that beautiful 
land where the mountains are high and the valleys wide, who had 
left the land of his birth, and those that he loved, to enter the service 
of God in a foreign land. Turning to Dr. Messmer he said: " Go with 
a brave heart. You cannot feel so disheartened as the apostles were 
when they fought for the redemption of man; you know that the same 
Spirit of God that came down upon them, is with you to-day, and in 
that new field the same Holy Ghost will inspire you. Brothers will 
lift out their hands to help you ; men of God will welcome you to 
their bosoms, their hearts and their friendship. You will be a father to 
the priests and to the people. So bravely take up the standard of 
battle, and one day we will all meet before His judgment-seat to wit- 
ness your reward." 

Bishop Messmer is a man of profound erudition. While at Seton 
Hall, the students felt that they had in him a friend, as well as a pro- 
fessor, and no small portion of his income was expended in books for 
their benefit, and other acts of kindness and generosity gave evidence 
of his desire to further their interests in every possible way. The 
same generous spirit characterized his conduct toward the orphans. 
A model priest, exact in all that his sacerdotal dignity required, and 
animated with the spirit of St. Philip Neri, like him, he serves God 
with joy. 

He has been called to a field, where the laborers are few and the 
work hard ; he has never been known to shirk a duty, and his time is 
now occupied in advancing the interests of his diocese with a success 



48 

like unto that which attended his efforts at Seton Hall. This is a faint 
outline of a character and career of which much more could be said 
without heaping unmerited praise on Bishop Messmer. It is far from 
Utopian to predict that when he shall have laid aside the mitre for 
the crown, some one of his many disciples will picture in bolder 
colors a life so intimately and pleasantly associated with the history 
of Seton Hall. 

Mr. Dominic Eggert died on May 4th, 1872. He had been a gen- 
erous benefactor of the college and a member of the board of trustees 
since its formation. In his will Mr. Eggert bequeathed the sum 
of one thousand dollars to the ecclesiastical seminary. Mr. Eugene 
Plunkett was elected to succeed him. 

In September, 1872, the Mackin Burse was founded. The Rev. 
John P. Mackin of Trenton, New Jersey, and a late member of 
the board of trustees, having left the sum of five thousand dollars for 
this purpose. These donations were supplemented, in 1873, by the 
Quinn Burse ($5,000), by the Rev. Thomas Quinn of Rahway, New 
Jersey, and in February, 1875, by the Bayley Burse ($5,000), founded 
by the Most Reverend J. Roosevelt Bayley, D.D., Archbishop of Balti- 
more, who though translated to another sphere of usefulness, always 
had the interest of Seton Hall nearest to his heart. 

Bishop Bayley, on September 2d, 1872, received the Apostolic 
letters appointing him Archbishop of Baltimore. He reluctantly pre- 
pared to leave Newark and Seton Hall which were associated with 
some of the noblest efforts of his life. Six weeks later, October 13th, 
1872, he was installed in the Baltimore Cathedral. Dr. M. A. Corri- 
gan, President of Seton Hall, was made administrator of the Diocese 
of Newark pending the appointment of a new bishop. 

Dr. Corrigan, on February nth, 1873, received a telegram an- 
nouncing that he had been appointed, by Pope Pius IX., Bishop of 
Newark. There was joy at Seton Hall over the honor done their 
president, but it was not unmingled with sorrow at the thought of 
parting with the kind offices of one who had always held a warm 
place in the hearts of the students, and had gained well-deserved 
popularity in both college and seminary while filling the various 
offices of professor, vice-president, and president. Archbishop Bayley 
had warmly urged the appointment of Dr. Corrigan as his successor ; 
no greater testimony of the esteem in which he was held by the emi- 
nent prelate can be given than is contained in this note from Bishop 
Bayley's diary, " Dr. Corrigan has learning enough for five bishops 



and sanctity enough for ten." Dr. Corrigan was consecrated Bishop 
of Newark in the old New York Cathedral by the late Cardinal, then 
Archbishop, McCloskey. In this new office Bishop Corrigan showed 
an executive ability that won for him praise, not only from the people 
of the diocese, but from his ecclesiastical associates, many of whom, 
older in years and experience, wondered at the sagacity of the young 
prelate. He turned his attention toward the establishment of relig- 
ious and reformatory institutions, which soon began to flourish in the 
diocese. He also introduced into New Jersey the Jesuits and Domin- 
icans and established the convent of the Dominican nuns of the 
Perpetual Adoration. 

Notwithstanding his multifarious duties Bishop Corrigan kept a 
watchful eye over Seton Hall, having his episcopal residence at the 
college and spending a portion of each week there. From the 
commencement of his ecclesiastical career honors had fallen thick 
and fast upon him in a way that has seldom been equalled in the 
case even of gray-haired priests that have spent a life-time in the 
service of the Church. In 1884 Archbishop Corrigan was summoned 
to Rome and represented the New York Archdiocese in the Ecumen- 
ical Council called by the Holy Father Leo XIII. The death of 
Cardinal McCloskey, on October 10th, 1885, made Archbishop Corri- 
gan Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of New York ; he was now the 
youngest archbishop as he had been the youngest bishop in the 
Catholic hierarchy of America, and Primate of a See which, in point 
of importance and size, outranks any other in the United States. 

After Bishop Corrigan had been made Coadjutor to Cardinal 
McCloskey, New Jersey was divided into two dioceses, the See of 
Trenton being carved from that of Newark. Rev. Winand M. Wigger 
was appointed to succeed Bishop Corrigan in the Newark Diocese. He 
was born in New York City December 9th, 1841, the day after Arch- 
bishop Bayley, the first Bishop of Newark, sailed for Rome in his 
search after the truth. Mr. Wigger received his classical education at 
the College of St. Francis Xavier in his native city, from which in i860 
he was graduated with high honor. He soon after entered Seton Hall 
College to make his theological studies. Desiring to complete his 
ecclesiastical course abroad, he sailed for Europe in 1862, and on the 
13th of October of that year entered the Seminary of Brignoli Sale at 
Genoa, Italy. He was ordained a priest at Genoa on June 10, 1865, 
and almost immediately returned to his native land. Soon after reach- 
ing Newark, Bishop Bayley made Father Wigger an assistant at the 



5° 

Cathedral. He remained there until 1869, when he was appointed 
rector of St. Vincent's Church at Madison, New Jersey. The same 
year he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity in Rome. He 
remained at Madison four years and was zealous, able and untiring in 
the discharge of his duties. He was subsequently rector of St. John's 
Church, Orange, and for two years had charge of St. Theresa's Church 




RT. REV. WIXAND M. WIGGER, D.D. 



at Summit, returning to Madison January 1st, 1876, where he remained 
until he received the Papal Bulls appointing him Bishop of Newark. 
He was consecrated at the Cathedral in Newark, October 18th, 1881, 
by Archbishop Corrigan ; Bishops McQuaid and McLaughlin were 
the assistant prelates. From the time he assumed charge of the diocese 
he has labored for its good and advancement with missionary zeal, 



5i 

frequently making episcopal visitations, giving confirmation, re- 
viving fervor and preaching eloquently to his people on temperance 
and respect for the marriage tie. Bishop Wigger's diocese is one of 
the most complete in the United States, being better equipped in the 
way of asylums, hospitals, schools, convents and religious institutions 
than many that far exceed it in population and public estimation. 
A pious youth, each advancing year has brought Bishop Wigger added 
grace and holiness. He is a fine theologian, scholar and linguist and 
yet one of the most modest and unassuming of men. His charities 
are broad, yet given in a way that the right hand never knoweth what 
the left hand doeth. He is very simple in all his tastes and is more 
easily satisfied with food and creature comforts than the youngest 
student in the college. While assistant priest at the cathedral he 
gave so generously from his salary to the poor whom he found on 
sick calls that his brother, a wealthy merchant of New York City, 
used to buy his clothing and books for him, and the records at St. 
Mary's Orphan Asylum and other sheltering homes bear evidence of 
his exceedingly great charity. The well-known attendant at the front 
door could tell many edifying stories of the bishop's donations to 
regular and transient callers. 

Bishop Wigger is also a successful financier, and has succeeded in 
establishing his diocese on a basis that pays tribute not only to his 
executive but to his business ability. His predominating character- 
istics are benevolence, cautious kindness of heart and perseverance. 
He is a friend to the friendless and always ready by kindly words and 
substantial aid to instil hope in the hopeless and lift the hard-tried 
soul from despair. The candor and nobility that are stamped upon 
his soul are reflected in his countenance. He has force of character 
and strength of will, the source of an upright conscience and a solemn 
sense of duty. Courageous as well as courteous, his indefatigable 
labors are not aroused by a thirst for fame but spring from a sense of 
duty inspired by a love of God. Bishop Wigger is president ex officio 
of the Board of Trustees of Seton Hall, and exercises a general super- 
vision over the college, where he spends most of his time when not 
engaged in the episcopal visitation of his diocese. 

At the seventeenth annual commencement of Seton Hall the degree 
of Master of Arts, Ho?ioris Causa, was conferred on Rev. W. P. Salt. 
Among the graduates of that year are two names that have since 
become prominent in the history of the Catholic Church of New 
Jersey — those of James Augustine McFaul, the recently consecrated 



52 




53 

Bishop of Trenton, New Jersey, and John Joseph O'Connor, the 
honor-man of the class of 1873, who, September, 1892, succeeded 
Father Salt as Vicar-General of the Diocese of Newark, and who, since 
September, 1878, has at different times filled the chairs of metaphysics, 
dogmatic and moral theology in his Alma Mater. 

James Augustine McFaul was born June 6, 1850, near the village 
of Larne, County Antrim, Ireland. During his infancy his parents 
emigrated to New York, subsequently locating at Bound Brook, New 
Jersey. Catholics were then few in that part of the State; there was 
no church at Bound Brook, and in order to hear mass it was neces- 
sary to go to New Brunswick or Raritan. The faithfulness of Bishop 
McFaul's parents in attending to this duty is a tradition throughout 
the neighborhood. James McFaul received his preparatory education 
in such schools as were then available in the neighboring towns of 
Weston and Millstone, and very early attracted attention for his dili- 
gence and brightness. At the age of nine years he was prepared for 
his first holy communion by a Benedictine father, now Rt. Rev. Bishop 
Seidenbush, and was confirmed in St. Peter's church by Bishop Bay- 
ley. He soon after entered St. Vincent's College at Beatty, Pennsyl- 
vania, where he remained for four years and then went to St. Francis 
Xavier's College, New York City, and afterward to Seton Hall, where 
he was graduated. Mr. McFaul completed his theological studies in 
the seminary at Seton Hall where he was ordained a priest on May 26, 
1877, by Bishop Corrigan. He was first temporarily assigned to 
churches at Orange and Paterson, later having permanent positions at 
St. Patrick's Church, Jersey City, St. Patrick's Cathedral in Newark, 
and St. Peter's, New Brunswick. Shortly before the erection of the 
new See of Trenton, Father McFaul was appointed assistant to the 
late Vicar-General Antony Smith. 

At St. Mary's Church in Trenton, in 1884, he was made rector of 
St. Mary's Star of the Sea, Long Branch. He remained there four 
years, and during that time paid off the heavy debt of the church and 
also built the beautiful Church of St. Michael, at Elberon. In 1890 
he was recalled to Trenton by Bishop O'Farrell, who appointed him 
Vicar-General of the diocese, and after the death of Bishop O'Farrell 
he was named his successor. Father McFaul was consecrated at St. 
Mary's Cathedral, Trenton, by Archbp. Corrigan, October i8tb, 1894, 
Bishops McQuaid and McDonnell assisting. The sermon was by Bp. 
Burke, of Albany. His selection was a very happy one, and did 
honor to the two colleges who claimed him as an alumnus. Seton 



54 



Hall and the College of St. Francis Xaviervied in doing him homage, 
the students of both institutions holding entertainments in his honor. 
But while he held the College of St. Francis Xavier in grateful re- 
membrance, Setonia, the scene of his prefecture in the Collegiate De- 
partment and of his full course of Theology, was the Alma Mater 
that claimed a true mother's place in his heart. 

When Bishop McFaul visited Seton Hall soon after his ordination, 
he was met at the Pennsylvania Railroad depot, in Newark, by the 




STUDY HALL. 

Rev. J. A. Stafford, vice-president of the college, who had a coach in 
waiting. When near the college grounds he was met by the cadets, 
under Lieut. Michael J. Lenihan, who saluted the bishop and then 
lined up on either side to allow the coach to pass between the lines. 
The cadets then escorted the Bishop to the main entrance of the 
seminary building, after which he was ushered into the study- 
hall, where he was received by the faculty of the college and the 
diocesan consultors ; a reception was also tendered him by the 



55 

students and seminarians, the Rev. William F. Marshall, president 
of the college, opening the proceedings with an address of welcome 
The students then sang a greeting, the words of which were 
composed by Rev. Jos. J. Synnott, D.D., and dedicated to Bishop 
McFaul. An addresss was next delivered on behalf of the seminar- 
ians of Seton Hall by Mr. J. A. O'Brien, of Trenton. He was followed 
by Mr. Edward Dunphy, also of Trenton, of the senior class of the 
Collegiate Department of the institution. Bishop McFaul responded, 
paying a high tribute to the faculty and introducing many reminis- 
cences of Setonia, where he had spent his happiest days. After 
dinner the priests of Seton Hall escorted Bishop McFaul to the Arch- 
bishop's room in the seminary and there presented him with an illu- 
minated missal, with plush and silver covering; a golden bugia, used 
for holding a candle at a bishop's Mass ; and a golden oil-stock. 
Each article bore this inscription: " Reverendissimo Jacobo A. 
McFaul, S. T. D., dignitate Episcopali amplificato Sacerdotes Seton i- 
enses gratulantes, D. D. D., XV. Kal., Nov., MDCCCXCIV." 

Bishop McFaul is in the prime of manhood, full of strength in 
mind and body, and from his long acquaintance with parish work, its 
trials and difficulties, well fitted to meet the many perplexities the 
Episcopal office entails. 

The other prominent graduate of the class of 1873, whose name 
has been prominently mentioned as worthy of a bishopric, is the Rev. 
John Joseph O'Connor, the present Vicar General of the Diocese of 
Newark. He was born in that city, June n, 1855, and pursued his 
preparatory studies in the parochial school connected with St. James' 
Parish, afterwards entering Seton Hall College for his classical 
studies. After graduating in 1873 he went abroad, where he pursued 
his studies at Rome, in the American College for three years, and in 
Louvain, Belgium, one year, where, Dec. 22, 1877, he was ordained 
a priest. 

After his return to America, Father O'Connor was appointed 
Professor in Seton Hall, where he has since resided In October, 
1892, he was appointed Rector of the seminary. Father O'Connor 
is a man of prodigious application and most systematic in his 
work, has read much and acquired a fund of general information 
that makes him an agreeable lecturer in the class-room. He is 
thoroughly at home in all branches of theology, is a superior Latinist, 
speaks Italian and French and is now mastering German. His 
ability, learning and kindly manner have endeared him to all students 



56 



in both college and seminary and he is highly esteemed by the priests 
of the diocese, many of whom have made their ecclesiastical studies 
under his direction. 

On June 24th, 1874, the college conferred the degree of A.M. 
on sixteen of its former graduates, and in the senior class there 
were twelve to receive the degree of A.B. The degree of Doctor 
of Science was conferred on Professor Charles de Gomme, Ph.D. 

On August 15th, 1874, Mr. George W. Corrigan was ordained a 
priest by his brother, Rt. Rev. Bishop Corrigan in the college chapel, 
and was retained at the college as Professor of Christian Evidences and 
Greek, and also filling the office of Librarian, until July, 1879. The very 

Rev. Wm. Mc- 
Nulty, on June 
30th, 1875, re- 
signed from the 
Board of Trus- 
tees, and Rev- 
erend James H. 
Corrigan, the 
V ice-President,, 
was elected to 
fill his place and 
also appointed 
secretary. The 
degree of Bach- 
elor of Science 
was conferred 
on Charles Ed- 
ward^ McNeelv. 




REV. JAS. H. CORRIGAN. 



On June 19th,. 
1876, Mr.George 
V. Hecker and 
J. J. Barrill were 
elected trustees. At this meeting Bishop Corrigan resigned the office 
of president, and the trustees elected his brother, Reverend James H. 
Corrigan, who had been a professor in the institution and director of 
the seminary since 1868, and was made Vice-President in 1872, when 
Dr. M. A. Corrigan succeeded Bishop McQuaid as President. 

James H. Corrigan was born at Newark, New Jersey, June 29, 
1844. The son of Thomas and Mary English Corrigan, natives of 



57 

Leinster, Ireland. His father being a man of fortune, he deter- 
mined to give his sons a liberal education, a decision which was 
doubtless prompted and without doubt fostered by his mother, who 
was a woman of fine intellect and rare energy and strength of charac- 
ter. Upon completing his preparatory course, he was sent to Mount 
St. Mary's College, Emmitsburg, afterwards going to the American 
College at Rome, where he made his theological studies; returning to 
America, he was ordained at Seton Hall College, Oct. 20, 1867. He 
celebrated his first Mass at St. John's Church, Newark, where he and 
his brothers had been baptized. 

At the commencement exercises held on June 21, 1877, the degree 
of B.S. was conferred on Alfred J. Hone, the other graduates receiving 
the degree of A.B. The trustees, at their annual meeting, passed a 
motion of regret on the death of Daniel E. Coghlan, one of the origi- 
nal trustees of the college and a generous benefactor of the institution. 
Rev. Father Salt was elected a trustee in his place. 

One of the first important moves made during the Presidency of 
Rev. James H. Corrigan was the reduction of the price of tuition, the 
following circular being sent from the college to patrons and friends 
of the institution. 

" Seton Hall College, 

" South Orange, N. J., Sept. 8, 1877. 
" In view of the general depression of business, and the decreased 
cost of living, it has been deemed advisable to reduce the charges for 
board, tuition, etc., from $450 to $380 per annum. The tone and 
character of Seton Hall will remain unchanged. There will be the 
same staff of professors, the same table, and the same attention to the 
progress and health of the students. 

" Very respectfully, 

"James H. Corrigan, President." 

June 18, 1878, at the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees, Rt. 
Rev. Monsignor Robert Seton, D.D., was elected a member of the 
board. Robert Seton was born at Pisa, Italy, August 28, 1839, during 
the temporary residence of his parents abroad. He comes of an old 
colonial family, the son of William Seton of " Cragdon," Westchester 
County, New York, at one time an officer in the United States navy, 
and Emily, daughter of Nathaniel Prime, a scion of an old New Eng- 
land family and founder of the once famous banking house of Prime, 
Ward & King. The Setons appear in "Burke's Peerage" as having 



5« 

emigrated to America before the Revolution. They sprung from the 
Earls of Winton of Parbroath, Fifeshire, Scotland, who lost their titles 
when the fifth Earl of Winton was beheaded because of offensive 
partisanship in the second Stuart rebellion. The Setons, however, re- 
tained their estates in Parbroath and lived there highly honored for 
many generations. The present representative of the family in Scot- 
land is Sir Bruce Maxwell Seton, Bart. William Seton, the great- 
grand-father of Robert Seton, removed to New York where he became 
wealthy and his descendents have since resided, allying themselves by 
marriage with the most prominent old colonial families. 

Robert Seton is the grandson of Mother Elizabeth Seton, after 
whom Seton Hall is named, and also a near relative of Archbishop 
Bayley. His great-grandfather was an adherent of the British gov- 
ernment during the revolutionary war, and though ruined financially, 
was not one of those who left the country, but remained and gave his 
allegiance to the new republic, establishing the mercantile firm of 
Seton, Maitland & Company, and his descendants have been among 
the most patriotic American families. 

After pursuing his preliminary studies under private tutors, Mr. 
Robert Seton entered Mount St. Mary's College at Emmitsburg, 
but later deciding to study for the priesthood, he went abroad, and 
became a student at the Accademia Ecclesiastica at Rome. He com- 
pleted his ecclesiastical course in 1865, receiving the degree of D.D., 
and was soon after ordained a priest. In 1866 Dr. Seton was ap- 
pointed by Pope Pius IX one of the chamberlains of his Court, 
being the first American ecclesiastic raised to the dignity of the 
Papal Prelacy, he is therefore the dean of all the monsignori in the 
United States. 

He was made a Prothonotary Apostolic in 1867, and was the same 
year made chaplain to the Convent and Academy of St. Elizabeth, 
at Madison, the Mother House of the Sisters of Charity in New Jer- 
sey, where he remained nine years. In 1884, he attended, in an official 
capacity, the fourth plenary council, held at Baltimore, and has filled 
the office of Moderator of the Newark Diocesan Conferences for 
several terms. 

His ability as a theologian and devotion to duty are well illus- 
trated in the following incident : At one of the quarterly confer- 
ences of the clergy of the diocese, a few years ago, the two clergymen 
appointed to read the cases of dogmatic and moral theology were 
unable to attend, for some good and sufficient reason. The bishop 



59 

and most of the priests were present when their excuses were received 
Adjournment seemed the only course to pursue. At this juncture, 
Monsignor Seton arrived, knelt and said a brief prayer, when some 
one proposed that the Monsignor should expound the dogmatic 
thesis ; the proposal was duly seconded and unanimously carried. 
The Monsignor without hesitation walked to the stage of the hall 
where the meetings were held, and, bowing to the Bishop, Moderator 
and assemblage, said : 

" Rt. Rev. Bishop, Very Rev. Moderator,, Gentlemen of the Con- 
ference : 

" I am pleased to have this opportunity of convincing you of the 
sincerity of what I have so often said here in this place and else- 
where ; that no priest should come to the conference unprepared upon 
the subjects to be treated and discussed, even though he had not been 
specially appointed for the cases." 

He then proceeded without book, paper or any reference whatso- 
ever, to explain the case of dogmatic theology, and did it so thor- 
oughly and lucidly that at his conclusion the entire body of clergy- 
men loudly applauded him. On another occasion in the same place, 
he showed the evenness of his temper and his tact in debate. The 
question of text books for our schools was before the meeting. A 
certain zealous educator made objection to a book that was used in 
most of the parochial schools of the diocese, and stepped upon the 
toes of Monsignor Seton when he said that he referred particularly to 
a part of the book which had been edited by the Monsignor which 
gave the title " Very Reverend " to certain church dignitaries. 

The Monsignor, with great good humor, fathered the part of the 
book mentioned, and gave his authorities for giving the title of 
"Very Reverend" to certain ecclesiastical officials. "However," he 
added, " if ' Very Reverend ' is an error, and damns the book, I hope 
it won't damn me." 

Monsignor Seton has crossed the Atlantic eleven times and traveled 
extensively in Europe and the East. Besides being an interesting 
speaker and a polished writer, he is an historian, antiquarian, numis- 
matist and linguist, being well versed in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, 
French, Italian, German and Spanish. Rt. Rev. Monsignor Seton 
lectured for several years at Seton Hall College on Sacred Archae- 
ology and Pastoral Theology. He subsequently lectured on Christian 
Archaeology in the Catholic University at Washington. He is a life 
member of the New York Historical Society and the Heraldic Society, 



6o 



belongs to the Association of the Sons of St. George and the Sons of 
the Revolution. The medal worn in this picture is the decoration of 
the latter order. 

Dr. Seton, on July t, 1876, was named rector of St. Joseph's Church, 
Jersey City, a position he continues to fill with ability and zeal. He 

has always shown 
a generous spirit 
toward Seton 
Hall, his name 
never hav i n g 
been missing 
from the list of 
con tributors 
when from time 
to time it has been 
found necessary 
in past years to 
call for outside 
assistance in re- 
building after a 
fire, or in the 
erection of a new 
edifice on the 
grounds. 

Mr. William 
Francis Marshall 
came to Seton 
Hall in Septem- 
ber, 1877, from 
Mount St. Mary's 
College, Emmits- 
burgh, where he 
had graduated 
the previous June. In January, 1878, he was appointed second prefect 
of discipline, taking the place of Mr. Chas. J. Kelly, who was ill. The 
following scholastic year— 1 878-'79— Mr. Marshall was made first prefect. 
About this time Father James Corrigan began to take steps to 
organize an alumni association for Seton Hall. His efforts met with 
a success that was both flattering and encouraging, and no higher 
testimonial could have been paid to the college than the responses that 




RT. REV. MGR. ROBERT SETOX, D.D. 



6i 



came from numerous clergymen, lawyers, physicians and merchants, 
all of whom had proved themselves worthy sons of their Alma Mater. 
The association now (1895) numbers over four hundred members. 

After the Alumni Association had been established on a solid basis 
it was Father Corrigan who proposed to them the erection of Alumni 
Hall, and to his untiring efforts and hold upon the old students must 
be accorded the success of the enterprise that inspired the old gradu- 
ates to unite and present to the college a building worthy of the 
alumni and worthy of the institution, and the other edifices that 
grace the beautiful grounds of Setonia. It was several years before 
Father Corrigan could mature his plans, and the corner-stone was not 
laid until October 25, 1883, many of the old graduates and their friends 
were present. 

Alumni Hall is built of undressed stone, presenting a solid but not 
ungraceful aspect. It is seventy feet long, forty feet wide and sixty 
feet from the ground to the ridge of the roof. On the lower floor are 




ALUMNI HALL, A GIFT OF THE GRADUATES. CONTAINS GYMNASIUM, BILLIARD PARLORS AND LIBRARY 



62 



two billiard parlors, one for the younger and one for the older colle- 
gians, a reading room and a library, and a recreation room for the 
theological students. In the vestibule are two staircases leading to 
the floor above, which furnishes a spacious hall provided with a stage 
for literary and musical entertainments. The hall is also designed to 
serve for the general meetings of the Setonian Alumni Association, for 
an indoor gymnasium and for cadet drills. A very useful, and at the 
same time ornamental feature of the new building consists of the 




COMMENCEMENT DAY. 



piazzas, which afford a covered walk of two hundred feet for out-door 
exercise in inclement weather. Monsignor Januarius De Concilio pre- 
sented Alumni Hall with one of the billiard tables. 

With the chapel on the west, and the college on the east, Alumni 
Hall faces the rear of the seminary, and, united to these buildings, 
forms a spacious quadrangle, rendered attractive not only by the en- 
closing groups of structures, but by the level lawn, gracefully diversi- 



63 







6 4 

fied with flagged walks to the seminary, the college, the chapel and the 
infirmary. In this beautiful quadrangle the annual commencements 
are held, the ceremonies taking place in the open air, the broad piazza 
of Alumni Hall forming a stage for the graduates and faculty. 

At the annual meeting of directors, held June 21, 1879, motions 
of regret were passed on the death of William Dunn, and Mr. Eugene 
Kelly, the millionaire banker, was appointed to succeed him. Mr. 
Kelly was called to his reward Dec, 1894, at the ripe old age of eighty- 
eight years. 

Mr. Kelly was a man of lovable and noble qualities, a patriot both 
as regards the country of his birth, which was Ireland, and the 
country of his long and honored residence, America. 

He gave an annual donation to Seton Hall besides contributing 
various sums to the college at different times. His wife, Mrs. Margaret 
Hughes Keily, a niece of Archbishop Hughes, has also been generous 
in gifts to Seton Hall ; the Altar of the Blessed Virgin and Sanctuary 
carpet in the chapel are among her remembrances to the institution. 

At the Commencement, June 16th, 1880, the degree of D.D. was 
conferred on the Very Reverend Thomas S. Preston, V.G., of New 
York City, and the degree of LL.D. on Frederick R. Coudert. 

The Rev. William F. Marshall was appointed treasurer of the 
college, September, 1881, the Rev. Wm. P. Salt retiring on account of 
ill health. 

On June 21st, 1882, at the annual meeting of the board of Trustees, 
the resignation of Mr. George V. Hecker was accepted, and the presi- 
dent read the Rev. Wm. F. Marshall's statement, showing the debt of 
the college to be $12 1,368.65, comprised in a mortgage, notes and 
floating accounts. 

General Ellakim Parker Scammon, who recently died in New York 
City, was for a number of years professor of mathematics at Seton 
Hall. His name will recall many pleasant recollections to those who 
were here in his time, and were associated with him either as professors 
or students. He was born December 27th, 1816, at Whitefield, Maine, 
graduating from West Point in 1837, fifth in a class of fifty-two, and 
was> afterwards appointed tutor of mathematics in that institution, 
having as his pupils Generals Grant, Roscrans and Newton, and 
was a room-mate of General Bragg. He took an active part in 
the Seminole War and served on astronomical work at Oswego, in 
1840, and also in the States of Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and Dakota. 
In 1846-47, lie was Aid to General Scott in the Mexican War, and was 



65 

recommended for promotion at the battle of Vera Cruz. From 1847 
to 1854 he was engaged in a survey of the upper Lakes and in 1856 
resigned from the army, and for a time lived in Virginia. He subse- 
quently became Professor of Mathematics at St. Mary's College, Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, and later Director and Professor of the Polytechnic 
College of that city. 

At the outbreak of the Civil War, General Scammon was a volun- 
teer and later was commissioned Colonel of the Twenty-third Infantry 
and placed in charge of Camp Chase, Ohio. lie was promoted for 
gallant conduct in 1862, at the Battle of South Mountain, and in 1864 
was captured by the Confederates, and after being detained sometime 
in Libby Prison, was transferred to Charleston where he was ex- 
changed. In 1865 he commanded the District of Florida, and in 1870 
was appointed Consul at Prince Edward's Island by President Grant, 
and was afterwards Engineer of New York Harbor under General 
Newton. In 1875 ne accepted the Chair of Mathematics in Seton Hall, 
which he held until 1882. General Scammon was a convert to the 
Catholic faith, having been baptised in 1859 bv the Reverend Father 
George Deshon of the Paulist Fathers. 

He led an active life until 1893, two years ago, when he was strick- 
en with the fatal disease which caused his death, December 7th, 1894, 
the first Friday. 

The death of Mr. Eugene Plunkett during the scholastic year of 
'8$ and '84 had caused a vacancy in the Board of Trustees which was 
filled by the election of Mr. Duncan Harris, a former graduate of Seton 
Hall, at the meeting June 18, 1884, the sum of $10,000 was given by 
Archbishop Corrigan to found a burse. Several societies had also 
been added to the list. The Sodality of the Sacred Heart was started 
and has since continued to flourish. The McQuaid Library and Read- 
ing Room were among the new organizations, together with the Dra- 
matic Company, the Glee Club, the Setonia Orchestra, the Alert and 
Quickstep Baseball Nines, the Lawn Tennis and Football Associations. 

On March the 9th, 1866, while the students and professors were all 
assembled at dinner, the college was again aroused by the dreaded cry 
of " Fire, fire!" This time the flames were seen issuing from the 
college building, the fire, as was afterwards discovered, having origi- 
nated in one of the dormitories on the third floor. The fire was dis- 
covered by Henry Feindt, the college shoemaker. All hands at once 
set to work to exiinguish the flames, but very little was saved and 
the building was almost a total loss 



66 




AFTER FIRE, MARCH 9TH, 1 886. 



Rev. James Corrigan sent out a circular, as Bishop McQuaid had 
done on a previous occasion. It reads as follows : 

"Seton Hall College, 

•'South Orange, New Jersey, 
"March 23, 1866. 

" After the generous response to the soliciting of subscriptions for 
the erection of our Alumni Hall, it would seem a trespass on the good- 
ness of friends to ask for new aid for our institution, but owing to the 
fire which on March 9th destroyed the college brick structure from 
roof to foundation, I have been urged to have recourse again to well- 
wishers of Seton Hall. 

" Happily, the buildings left uninjured are sufficiently extensive to 
afford temporary accommodations for the collegiate as well as the 
theological department, and studies were resumed last week for the 
seminarians, and will be resumed this week for the collegians. Our 
loss by the late fire was $35,000. This was partially covered by an 
insurance — $14,000 on the burned building and $4,000 on the furniture. 

"Already some have either given or promised help. The list 
begins with a thousand dollars from each of two friends ; then follow 
contributions down to fifty dollars. 



67 




68 

" The aid thus volunteered is most encouraging to start with and 
strengthens the assurance that an appeal now will not go unanswered. 
I look, therefore, with great confidence for assistance from the friends 
of our institution and from my own personal friends. The sooner the 
aid comes the better it will be. 

"It is needless to say that many masses and earnest prayers will be 
offered for our benefactors. 

11 With hopefulness in your kindly generosity, I am, sincerely yours, 

" James H. Corrigan, President." 

The Alumni Hall did good service in this emergency; the spa- 
cious upper floor was converted into a study hall, while the lower 
floors were utilized for sleeping apartments. Students who could not 
be accommodated in this building were made comfortable in the 
Seminary, where all took their meals. 

At a meeting of the board of trustees it was decided to rebuild the 
college as soon as possible, and Reverend William F. Marshall, Vice- 
President and Treasurer, was appointed by Bishop Wigger to adjust 
the insurance and superintend the erection of the new structure. 
Phcenix-like, Seton Hall again arose from the ashes and by January, 
1887, the class-rooms were ready for occupancy, but the dormitories 
were not used until the following May ; care being taken that the 
plastering was thoroughly dry before the students were permitted to 
use the new sleeping apartments. 

On account of poor health, in 1888, Reverend James H. Corrigan 
resigned the presidency of Seton Hall and went abroad. He was but 
little improved when he returned and Bishop Wigger appointed him 
rector of St. Mary's Church, Elizabeth, New Jersey, the congregation 
being one of the most important in the diocese. Father Corrigan 
had been rector of this church barely two years when, on Novem- 
ber 27th, 1891, he died of heart disease. His funeral was the most 
impressive that ever took place from St. Mary's Church, which was 
crowded to the doors, many people being unable to obtain admittance. 
The celebrant of the mass was Reverend Father Dunn of Meadville; 
Father Callen, of Orange Valley, deacon; Father Egan, of Bergen 
Point, sub-deacon; and Father Wallace, of Newark, master of cere- 
monies. During the mass a plain funeral chant was sung by the 
choir, which was composed of the clergy and the students of Seton Hall 
under the direction of Very Reverend John Joseph O'Connor. Be- 
sides Archbishop Corrigan there were present in the sanctuary, Arch- 



6 9 




ye 

bishop Ryan, of Philadelphia, Bishop Wigger, of Newark, Bishop 
Conroy, of Albany, and over one hundred and fifty priests. Mon- 
signor George H. Doane, of Newark, preached the funeral oration, 
alluding in a touching manner to the excellent traits of the deceased 
clergyman and the good work he had accomplished. Father Corri- 
gan's remains weVe interred in the Corrigan family plot in the Ceme- 
tery of the Holy Sepulchre at Newark. Of the Reverend James H. 
Corrigan the Rev. John J. Tighe said in his sermon at the Month's 
Mind of the esteemed clergyman : 

" For seven years I dwelt under the same roof, and for four I had 
to do with him in an official capacity, he as president and I as prefect, 
and I think I took some measure of the man. He was ' Magnis 
naturae donis instructus,' gifted with a fair share of genius and a 
large fund of geniality. He had a liberal stock of homely sense, 
quick intuitions, lively perceptions, and a large and w T ide sympathy 
with human nature. He never bore resentment or cherished the 
memory of a wrong. He was generous to a fault and kind to a 
rarity among men. His piety was as real as it was unostentatious, 
and I need not tell the students of Seton Hall how devoutly he said 
the holy mass, and I confess I was always inspired with a sense of 
awe when he performed the sublime act of consecration. 

" Though he had no mean expectations from his future in the 
world he made no hesitation in choosing his life work in the sanc- 
tuary ; his good old Irish father and his good old Irish mother gave 
him up without a pang to the lofty life-work to which he consecrated 
the strength of his arm, the fire of his intellect, and the energies of 
his being. ' The end of man,' says Cardinal Manning, ' is the glory 
of God and the end of the priest is the highest glory of God." And 
no man who knew him can gainsay that this highest glory was the 
goal of all his aspirations and endeavors, according to the measure of 
his powers. Father James Corrigan had the primacy of Abel, the 
patriarchate of Abraham, the government of Noe, the order of Mel- 
chizedeck, the dignity of Aaron, the authority of Moses, the power of 
Peter, and the unction of Christ, and he used them well according to 
the limited years God granted him, and hence in that brief space he 
attained unto the perfection of Samuel." 

After Father James Corrigan resigned, the Rev. William Francis 
Marshall, the Vice-President and treasurer, w T as elected by the Board 
of Trustees President ad tempus, and for a long time held the triple 
offices. Father Marshall assumed the office of president with reluc- 



tance and not without urging the bishop to appoint another prefer- 
ably, his ideal man, Father Salt, to the position, but Bishop Wigger 
was determined and there was nothing to do but render obedience to 
his will. 

William Francis Marshall was born at Millville, Cumberland 
County, New Jersey, Jan'y 29, 1849, the son of John and Elizabeth 
Marshall. 

His father was an officer in the United States Army during the 
civil war. He received a wound at the battle of Winchester, Va., 
which caused his death soon after the declaration of peace. Fr. 
Marshall's mother, one of the pioneers of Catholicity in South Jersey, 
is still living. When he was quite young the family removed to 
Philadelphia, where he passed through the grammar schools. About 
the time of the outbreak of the civil war, the family moved to Salem, 
N. J., and he entered Smith's Academy. Two years later, after his 
father left for the war, he began a business career in Salem, and 
later entered Chritenden's Law and Business College, Philadelphia, 
from which he graduated in 1866, and took a position in a large real 
estate and law firm ; afterwards engaging in business there on his 
own account and in which he continued until 187 1. 

Father Marshall has since found consolidation in what Bishop 
Bayley said, when, owing to the illness of President Fisher in 1859, 
he was obliged to re-appoint Father McQuaid President of Seton 
Hall. "It is more difficult to find a good college president than any- 
thing else in the world. All that the college needs to insure its per- 
manent prosperity is a President — everything else is there." 

Mr. Marshall began his studies for the priesthood at Mt. St. Mary's 
College, Emmitsburgh, in Sept., 1872, where he spent five years and 
was graduated from that institution in June, 1877. In Sept., 1877, 
he was recalled to New Jersey by Bishop Corrigan, to study theology 
at Seton Hall. Mr. Marshall was ordained a priest, on Feb. 24, 1881, 
having the honor, together with Dr. McMahon. of New York, and 
Father Fox of Trenton, N. J., of being the first ordained to the priest- 
hood by Most Rev. M. A. Corrigan in the new St. Patrick's Cathedral, 
on Fifth Avenue, New York. Dr. McDonnell (now Bishop of 
Brooklyn, N. Y.), was master of ceremonies on the occasion. Father 
Marshall was retained at Seton Hall, where he has since resided, 
filling the various offices already mentioned, also having taught 
Elocution, and the higher classes of Greek and Latin. The Spirit of 
Archbishop Bayley seems still to live at Seton Hall in Bishop Wigger 



72 

upon whom he bestowed minor orders in the old college chapel and 
in Father Marshall, to whom he gave his name. At the time, South 
Jersey was but sparsely supplied with churches. Bishop Bayley made 
visits to Catholic families whose homes were too far away from a 
church for them to have the benefit of the offices of a priest. This 
is only another illustration of the untiring energy he displayed in 
the administration of his See. Two of these residences thus visited 
were those of Mr. John Marshall, at Millville and Mr. James Ward, at 
Leesburg. In a letter written to Father Marshall, May 6th, 1895, 
Mr. Frank K. Ward, a prominent Catholic of Philadelphia, one of the 
sons of the late Mr. James Ward, and a brother of Madame Anna L. 
Ward of the Religious of the Sacred Heart, thus speaks of Bishop 
Bayley's visits : 

" How well I remember his visits of nearly half a century ago ! 
How delighted I used to be to sit and listen to his interesting conver- 
sation ! He would usually employ an hour or so after supper for a 
general talk with the family, when he would take his place at the end 
of a sofa in the parlor of our dear old home at Leesburg, where in 
turn we would make our confession to him, and the following morn- 
ing, at Mass, said at a temporary altar in the parlor, would receive 
Holy Communion from his hands. The confession over, the Bishop 
would again return to the sitting room to chat for a little while before 
retiring. You have referred in a humorous vein to the fact of the 
Bishop's first calling at the Marshalls on those trips, but always managed 
to get his dinners at the Wards. You have certainly not forgotten how 
well the Marshalls used to live, and do still, and you know it is the 
duty of both priests and bishops, as well as lay folks, to do penance. Bishop 
Bayley knew both the Marshalls and their substantial table and, 
bein^ a good and holy man. was willing to make a sacrifice by leaving 
Marshall's and getting on to Ward's" 

Mr. Ward thus cleverly turned the " tables" on Father Marshall. 
Mr. Frank K. Ward has been a devoted patron of Seton Hall, having 
sent through his influence five of his nephews and a number of stu- 
dents to the college which he occasionally honors with a visit. 

In 1883, Doctor Thomas O'Conor Sloane, A.M., E.M., Ph.D., ac- 
cepted the chair of Lecturer on Natural Sciences in Seton Hall Col- 
lege, a position he gave up for a few years but which he has since re- 
sumed. Mr. Sloane was born in New York City, November 24th, 1851. 
He is a nephew of the celebrated lawyer, Charles O'Conor. He pur- 
sued his classical studies at the College of St. Francis Xavier, in his 



73 




75 

native city, graduating in 1870, and the same year entered the School 
of Mines, Columbia College, from which he was graduated two years 
later, and in 1876 awarded the degree of Ph.D. Mr. Sloane was de- 
partment editor of the Sanitary Engineer from 1878 to 1880, and from 
1882 to 1886 treasurer of the American Chemical Society. 

In 1886 he became editor of the Scientific American, which he con- 
tinues to direct. He has attained quite a reputation as an inventor 
and an expert in patent suits. Prominent among his inventions may 
be mentioned the thermophoto, the only apparatus ever devised for 
registering automatically and mechanically the illuminating pow r er of 
gas. He has also written considerably on scientific subjects, and is 
author of " Home Experiments in Science, " " Electricity Simplified," 
" Arithmetic of Electricity,'' " How to Become a Successful Electri- 
cian," " Electric Toy Making," " India Rubber Hand Stamps and the 
Manipulation of Rubber." 

About this time many improvements were made in the college ; a 
lecture-room was fitted up for the scientific class, with seats and tab- 
lets for taking notes, new apparatus added and the lecture-room 
otherwise equipped for experiments. Professor Sloane is assisted in 
his experiments by the students. Among the most able assistants 
during the first years of his professorship were Mr. Robert John Mar- 
shall, now a physician in Newark, and Mr. Walter R. Vanneman, now 
a physician in Philadelphia. 

New flagging was laid in front of the college, and also around the 
chapel, infirmary and Alumni Hall. Picturesque paths were formed 
through the woods, gas-light was introduced into the playgrounds, 
the ball alleys were solidly refloored, and the antique pump of many 
memories removed for a bronze drinking-fountain, set under a grace- 
ful pavilion. 

The Alerts were then, as now, dreaded foes on base ball and foot 
ball grounds and won both victories and trophies. Notable among 
them was the gold ball and scarf pin given to Mr. Henry M. Dowd, of 
Orange, N. J., for fine pitching and making the winning run in a 
famous ball game with the Rose Hills of St. John's College, Fordham; 
a game of 16 innings, with a score of 6 to 5, which was published far 
and near as the greatest game of the year, professional or amateur. 
In 1886 Mr. Bernard N. Farren of Philadelphia founded a burse in the 
theological department of Seton Hall in memory of his son, the late 
Francis B. Farren, who had formerly been a student at the 
college. 



76 

Of the lay professors who have played no inconspicuous part in 
the history of Seton Hall, much might be said, but by " their works 
ye shall know them." The history of these men who have occupied 
prominent positions in the educational world, has not only been 
inscribed in the records of Setonia, but in the broader field where 
all have filled prominent positions as educators. Their assistance 
has been invaluable to the institution, as by the introduction 
of this outside element the education of the students has been placed 
on a broader platform and the standard of those departments where 
specialists were in charge, raised to a plane that will bear comparison 
with any institution of its character in this country. Of these 
professors it is hardly necessary to pronounce an eulogium. There 
was one, however, perhaps the best known of all to old and recent 
students, Professor Theodore Blume. 

Rev. John Tighe says, " He grew grey in the service and passed 
away as unobserved as he had lived.'' He was a " helluo librorum," and 
the lore of antiquity was all garnered into the storehouse of his mem- 
ory. His quaint sayings and old saws were a never failing fund of 
delight; and the geniality of his temper not less than the genius of 
his mind, led captive the student heart." 

Professor William J. Philips was a popular teacher of English and 
Elocution. After leaving Seton Hall in 1881, he made a tour of the 
United States, delivering lectures, which were well received, and 
lessons from two of them, " My Journey to Rome," and " Model Hus- 
band and Wife," which were delivered at the college, will never be 
forgotten by the students of his day. 

Professor Charles H. Jourdan, A.M., Ph.D., a noted mathematician, 
was professor at Seton Hall for four years, 1891-1894. He thor- 
oughly organized and raised the standard of mathematics in the 
college, but returned to Mt. St. Mary's College, Emmitsburgh, Mary- 
land, the institution he had previously served for a quarter of a century, 
because his family could not give up their old and dear Maryland 
home around which were clustered precious memories of a happy 
past. Professor Jourdan is a master mathematician and scientist 
and a perfect disciplinarian ; he understands the true science of 
discipline, namely, to lead the pupil to respect and love the teacher. 
His character and qualifications commanded the respect of his class 
and his sympathy and tact won their regard. Although Professor 
Jourdan received from Seton Hall a higher salary than was ever paid 
to any of its professors before, he deserved three times the amount. 



77 

Dr. William O'Gorman, the eminent physician of Newark, who 
from 1862 to 1887, was the college physician of Seton Hall and 
also attended Bishop Bayley during his last illness. Two of his sons 
graduated from the college. 

Rev. Thomas McMillan, C.S.P., was a student at Seton Hall, and 
if "coming events cast their shadows before," his future was cer- 
tainly prognosticated in his college career. We find him at college 
taking the Seton Prize in Christian Doctrine, Librarian of the 
Setonia Literary Association and Censor of the Bayley Literary So- 
ciety. As a priest in after life we find him the organizer and director of 
the largest and best-managed Sunday School in America. Father 
McMillan organized the Ozanam Reading Circle, the first Cath- 
olic reading circle in this country, and was also one of the original 
promoters of the Catholic Summer School, with which he is still prom- 
inently identified. 

To reckon up all the priests of the New Jersey dioceses, over a 
hundred in number, who have graduated from the Seminary of the 
Immaculate Conception, would be to write another volume that would 
reflect still" further glory on their Alma Mater, which still holds them 
near her heart and feels that every church, school or chapel erected by 
one of her former theological students is another leaf in the crown of 
laurels that Seton Hall wears so proudly. 

The priests have annual reunions both at the commencement and 
at the retreats, which are held each year at Seton Hall. 

On June 17, 1891, at the meeting of the Board of Trustees, 
Archbishop Corrigan, whose name had for so long been connected with 
the college, tendered his resignation. In his letter the archbishop said 
he was unable to attend the meetings on account of the many pressing 
demands upon his time, and regretted very much to dissolve the 
bonds that had united him for so many years to this " cherished insti- 
tution." 

At the commencement Bishop Wigger tendered the Archbishop a 
public vote of thanks for his great services to the college, which called 
forth a cheer from the assemblage, loud enough, if the heartiness of 
its goodwill could be measured, to reach his Grace's city residence 
from his old home on the Orange hills. Vacancies in the Board of 
Trustees this year were also left by the deaths of Very Reverend Wil- 
liam P. Salt and Reverend James H. Corrigan. Mr. B. M. Farren, of 
Philadephia, also resigned. Their places were filled by Very Rev. J. 
J. O'Connor, Rev. P. E. Smyth, Rev. Thos. J. Toomy and the Hon. 
James Smith. 




REV. WM. FRANCIS MARSHALL 



On December 30, 1891, over a hundred members and guests of the 
Alumni Association assembled at Seton Hall as guests of Bishop Wig- 
ger and Rev. William F. Marshall. The tables were handsomely dec- 
orated with flowers. What seemed most remarkable to the visitors was 
that the delightful menu of fifteen courses was prepared in the culi- 



79 

nary department of the college, under the direction of Sister Cecilia, 
who has for twelve years been Superior in this department. Rev. 
Henry A. Brann, D.D., in a " Depewesque" postprandial speech made 
the hit of the evening. 

At the commencement, June 15, 1892, the degree of LL.D., was 
conferred on Mr. Francis Joseph Haggerty, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and 
Dr. John M. Keating, of Philadelphia. 

Judge George A. Lewis, of the Municipal Court of Buffalo, whose 
son was then a student of Seton Hall, addressed the graduates. 
Bishop Wigger, in closing the exercises, said : " I have but a word 
to say. I wish to thank Judge Lewis for his truly Christian address 
to our graduates. I hope they will heed his good advice. This in- 
stitution has been prosperous during the past year. We have had a 
large number of pupils, and, what has been especially pleasing to me, 
has been their truly Christian conduct. Secular education is only 
half education. It is the aim of the Church to educate both for this 
life and for the life to come — the future life in heaven." 

The thirty-seventh annual commencement of Seton Hall College, 
held June 14th, 1893, was particularly pleasing. The largest class that 
ever graduated from the institution — seventeen in number — received 
diplomas. Reverend James Donahue, of Brooklyn, a profound 
scholar, eloquent preacher and lecturer, and the author of the beauti- 
ful novel, "from Rome to Jerusalem," received the degree of LL.D., 
and addressed the graduates. Financially, the college year was 
remarkably successful, as the report of President Marshall showed that 
the mortgage debt on the institution had been reduced, and the 
treasury was in a satisfactory condition. 

Rev. William F. Marshall, president of Seton Hall, had for some 
time been contemplating introducing military instruction and drilling 
into the college, but there were several obstacles in the way. Seton 
Hall, however, had a friend at Court in the person of United States 
Senator James Smith, of Newark, one of the trustees, who was suc- 
cessful in securing from the United States Government an officer for 
the college. The appointment by the United States Government of 
a military instructor for Seton Hall, a C it/nlic College* raised quite a 
stir throughout the State of New Jersey, and for a time the daily and 
weekly papers were full of objections raised by bigoted non catholics. 
The objectors could have taken no more eihcacious means of adver- 
tising Seton Hall. As Senator Smith had already secured the ap- 
pointment, preparations went on, and on August 22d, 1893, the 



8o 

military department of the college was formally established. Among 
the many notices that appeared in the press at this time the following 
may be mentioned : 

"The detailing of Lieutenant Lenihan, of the United States Army, 
as military instructor at Seton Hall, has caused more excitement 
among the Know-Nothing element of the Protestant community than 
anything that has occurred in New Jersey for many years." 

The pastor of a Baptist Church at Fairmount issued a circular 
calling attention to the matter, in which he urges all Protestant 
clergymen to join the A. P. A., and asserts that the Catholic Church 
is transgressing the proper limits of Church action, and adds that the 
action of this Roman Catholic College — which none but Roman 
Catholics attend — is full of deep meaning. 

When interviewed in regard to this unwarranted slander, Father 
Marshall replied: " I did not think it was possible to condense so 
much ignorance and bigotry into a single paragraph. The statement 




SETOX HALL COLLEGE. 



8i 

is ridiculous. The detailing of this officer will give a corps of well- 
trained young men ready and able at all times to defend our beloved 
country. While all our students are instructed in the doctrines of the 
Catholic faith, we always have some non-catholics among them." 

The salary of the military instructor is paid by the United States 
Government and the military stores are provided also free of cost 
to the College; they consist of one hundred and fifty cadet rifles, 
two three-inch rifled cannon, and other equipments, such as ammu- 
nition, belts, cartridges, tents, etc., the total value of which is 
$4,246.55; for these the college gives bond in double that amount. 
The students drill three times a week and have adopted a uniform 
similar to that worn by the West Point Cadets. 

The following is a copy of the official appointment. 

August 15, 1893. 
War Department, Washington City. 
" By direction of the I_esident and in accordance with Section 
1225 Revised Statutes, a: : mended by the Acts of Congress, approved 
September 26, 1888, and January 31, 1891, Second Lieutenant Michael 
J. Lenihan, 20th Infantry, is detailed as Professor of Military 
Science and Tactics at Seton Hall College. South Orange, New Jersey, 
and will report for duty in person acccordingly. 

"Daniel S. Lamont, Secretory of War." 

For instruction in Infantry Tactics and Military Discipline the 
cadets are organized into a battalion of three companies, under the 
Professor of Military Science and Tactics. The officers and non- 
commissioned officers are selected from those cadets who have been 
most studious, soldierlike in the performance of their duties, and 
most exemplary in their general deportment. The officers are taken 
from the senior class, the sergeants from the junior class, and the 
corporals from the sophomore class. The twenty acres set apart 
for the students form fine drill grounds for the cadets. They also 
have camping facilities on the Orange Mountains, the property of 
the college, about three miles distant from Seton Hall. Each year 
in the month of June a visit will be made to " Camp Lenihan." 

Lieutenant Lenihan is a graduate of West Point, a native of Bos- 
ton, where he received his primary education in the public schools. 
He is a young man, stands well in the army with a good record be- 
hind him and a fine chance for future promotion. Captain Scantling, 



82 




83 

Commandant of Fort Warren in Boston Harbor, wrote Father Mar- 
shall a letter, upon hearing of Lieutenant Lenihan's appointment, in 
which he congratulates the college in securing so talented an instruc- 
tor. " A better selection could scarcely have been made," adds Cap- 
tain Scantling, " for as a man of the world, outside his military avo- 
cation, he is a man whose acquaintance and friendship is well worth 
gaining." Lieutenant Lenihan reported for duty at Seton Hall Col- 
lege, Tuesday, September 6th, 1895. 

The Professor of Military Science and Tactics, so selected, is 
required to live at or near the institution to which he is assigned, and 
when in the performance of his military duties shall appear in proper 
uniform, and shall, in his relations to the institution, observe the gen- 
eral usages and regulations therein established affecting the duties 
and obligations of other members of the faculty. For the benefit of 
the officer and the military service, he may perform other duties at 
the college in addition to those pertaining to military science and 
tactics and may receive compensation therefor. 

"Governor's Island, N. Y., May 9, 1894. 
" The Inspector-General \ U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. 

" Sir : I respectfully submit the following report of the annual in- 
spection of the Military Department of Seton Hall College, New 
Jersey. 

"The Chair of Military Science and Tactics is now occupied by 
Lieut. Michael J. Lenihan, 20th Infantry, who reported for duty about 
the first of September last. He did not succeed in getting arms 
and equipments until November. 

"The professorship being a new one, it was necessary to begin 
with a raw mass and work out an organization. The college au- 
thorities are in full accord with the Military Department, and if 
it does not secure good results in the end, the failure certainly 
cannot be attributed to lack of encouragement on the part of the 
college authorities. 

" The college possesses a large tract of land and is in much better 
condition to properly carry out practical military instruction than 
most of the colleges in this inspection The instruction in target 
practice has not been introduced yet, but steps are being taken look- 
ing to a course in this discipline. The battalion has not yet reached 
such a degree of efficiency as authorizes undertaking tactical prob- 
lems, but the work will come in good time. 



8 4 

" The discipline of the Military Department is enforced by the col- 
lege authorities in the same general way that pertains to all other de- 
partments. 

"After the department has been in operation a sufficient length of 
time to enable the officers to be selected for efficiency, good results 
may be looked for with reasonable certainty. 

" The arms and equipments are carefully looked after and the col- 
lege provides a man to keep them in proper condition. The two 
three-inch guns are kept under shelter and the detachment equipments 
are stored in the armory. Lieut. Lenihan is careful and industrious 
and his selection for this duty seems to have been a very fortunate 
one. Very respectfully, 

" (Signed). R. P. Hughes, 

Colonel Inspector General. 

"Respectfully forwarded to the Reverend William F. Marshall, 
President of Seton Hall College. 

" (Signed). J. C. Breckenridge, 

"June 25, 1894.' "Inspector General." 

On June 4th, 1894, the three companies competed at the drill for 
the honor of carrying the colors the ensuing year. First Lieutenant 
John J. Briarton, 24th Infantry, Professor of Military Science and 
Tactics at Rutger's College, New Brunswick, N. J , was judge of the drill 
and awarded the colors to Company " B ", commanded by Cadet 
Captain Michael J. Donnelly. A handsome national flag, the gift of 
Mrs. Eugene Kelly was formally presented to the Battalion on Com- 
mencement-day, June 1 2th, 1894, and has since been in the custody of 
Company B. 

At the Thirty-eight Annual Commencement of Seton Hall, June 
12th, 1894, the cadets gave their first public drill and were reviewed 
by the trustees of the college, who at their meeting elected Professor 
Thomas O'Conor Sloane, a trustee to succeed the late Father Toomey, 
of Newark. 

Among the graduates were two of distinguished Catholic families; 
Mr. William Henry Seton, a descendant of MotherSeton, and nephew of 
Monsignor Robert Seton, and a relative of Archbishop Bayley, and Mr. 
Albert Henry Carroll, whose ancestors Archbishop Carroll and Mr. 
Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, one of the signers of the Declaration of 
Independence occupy a conspicuous place in the history of the United 
States. Mr. Edward A. Cogan gave the Master's Oration, and re- 



»5 




86 

ceived the degree of M.A., and the Rev. John J. Tighe, priest and 
patriot, author and orator, gave a stirring address to the graduates. 
Bishop McQuaid, the first president of Seton Hall, presented the 
medals and conferred the degrees, and also delighted the audience 
with an address full of life and spirit, and most interesting and 
touching reminiscences of the old days at Setonia. 

Owing to his absence in Europe, Bi>hop Wigger was not present 
at the Commencement. On June 6th, 1894, he sailed for Europe and 
the Holy Land and his welcome home by the students, is one of the 
pleasantest landmarks in the scholastic year of 1894-95. Bishop 
Wigger was accompanied on his trip abroad by the Rev. L. C. M. 
Carroll, pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows of South Orange. 

The Bishop and his companion, were absent five months, and 
traveled through Germany, France, Italy and the Holy Land, and 
while in Rome, had an audience with the Holy Father. The 
Bishop was met in Hoboken, on the arrival of the Aller by the Very 
Rev. J. J. O'Connor, Vicar-General of the Diocese, and who had 
been Administrator during Bishop Wigger's absence, his Chancellor, 
the Rev. T. A. Wallace, and other members of the faculty of Seton 
Hall. 

They at once took the train for South Orange, and were met at 
the station by the Cadets, under Lieutenant Lenihan. Michael Red- 
ding, the expert college farmer, and the Bishop's faithful coachman, 
drove him to the college while the Cadets formed a military escort. 

On arriving at Seton Hall another greeting was awaiting the 
good Bishop from Rev. William F. Marshall, the President ; at 
noon a salute of fourteen guns was fired by the Battalion, in honor 
of Bishop Wigger. 

A reception was afterwards given him in the Alumni Hall, music 
and speeches enlivening the occasion. Mr. Roger McGinley gave the 
address in behalf of the theological students, and Mr. J. Marshall 
Vanneman on behalf of the collegians. 

During the Lenten Season of 1895, Bishop Wigger gave a practical 
course of instructions to the students on the Sacraments of the 
Church. 

We have brought this little sketch of Seton Hall down to the year 
1895, an d as Bishop McQuaid in a letter to Father Marshall, of April 
26, 1895, says: "It does not make much difference who gets the 
glory in this world. The work has been done, the outcome is for the 
good of religion and the glory of God." 



87 

As we review the span of years that bridges 1856 with 1895, we find 
that although much has been done in the past, more remains to be 
done in the future. The foundation only has been laid of a great 
university which is destined to be the outgrowth of the little school at 
Madison. 

The twentieth century will doubtless see the beautiful grounds 
covered by stately edifices, each one of which will contribute to the 
completeness of the University. Catholics in the past have been 
slow to come forward and give grandly of their millions for the 
elevating and endowment of Catholic institutions, but the old genera- 
tion is passing away and already the nineteenth century is knocking 
vigorously at the door of the twentieth. Let us hope that even before 
the new era dawns we will find among Catholics a Low, a Rockefel- 
ler, a Stanford, who will give generously of his millions in the cause 
of charity and education, and with them be perpetuated in history as 
among the nation's benefactors. 

It must be admitted that Catholics are far behind Protestants in 
the munificence of their donations to charitable and educational 
institutions. How many seats of learning free from debt stand today 
as monuments of some wealthy Catholic's generosity ? How many 
consecrated churches mark the generosity of some one rich Catholic 
layman ? How many asylums and hospitals do we find independent 
by the endowment of a rich Catholic ? 

America has grown from a missionary territory to a country with 
over 10,000,000 Catholic subjects, directed in faith and morals by 
a learned and imposing hierarchy, with an Apostolic Delegate at their 
head. 

We have wealthy Catholics and many of them. Let them come 
forward and emulate the generous spirit shown by their non-Catholic 
brethren in founding and endowing institutions that will compare 
with any in this country. Instead of building costly mausoleums in the 
cemeteries let them build monuments to themselves on the grounds 
of our Catholic institutions of learning, that will keep their memory 
perennial and bring down blessings on themselves and their posterity. 

Let the rectors of the numerous parochial schools that now flourish 
in almost every parish found scholarships in our colleges and convents 
for the pupils who pass the best final examination in the highest 
grade. This will not only be an incentive to study in all the depart- 
ments of the parish school, but a long stride forward in the difficult 
problem of the higher education of the masses. 



88 

Seton Hall now has a property worth several hundred thousands 
of dollars. This has been bought, maintained and freed from debt 
without any material assistance from outside parties. The purchase 
has proved a judicious investment ; the property having increased in 
value with a rapidity that the most hopeful could not have predicted, 
even ten or twenty years ago. Its environment is such that it must 
continue to grow in value. 

With the late Eugene Kelly's handsome estate on the east, Ward 
Avenue on the west,Newark Reservoir property on the south, and own- 
ing over a thousand feet front on either side of South Orange Avenue, 
there is no probability of any objectionable building being erected in 
the vicinity of the college. Newark is already stretching- out its arms 
to embrace the Oranges, and the Oranges, with seeming ready 
response, are growing toward Newark, and soon they will all be one 
great city, in which Seton Hall's estate is destined to become a central 
park, adorned with monuments of educational architecture. 

The college is growing and prospering, but to be abreast of the 
times and keep it on an equal footing with other institutions of high 
standing, many things might be added which would push forward the 
interest of the institution. Chief of these may be mentioned a 
building with administration offices and where the senior students 
could have private apartments, reading rooms and class rooms; a 
building for very young boys, so that the college could be divided into 
senior, junior and preparatory departments ; a fireproof library, a 
large, well-equipped music hall, a science building, an armory, and 
last, but not least, a handsome statue of Archbishop Bayley, to be 
erected on the heart-shaped lawn in front of the main building, a 
statue that from its size and magnificence will typify the grandeur of 
the man. 

The commencement exercises held on June 19, 1895, were in some 
respects the most notable in the annals of the college, and in history 
will forever be a landmark of the establishment of Seton Hall on a 
solid financial basis. 

At the meeting of the Board of Trustees, held just previous to the 
exercises, motions of regret were passed on the death of Eugene 
Kelly, Esq. 

The Treasurer, in making his financial statement to the Board, had 
the pleasure of announcing that during the year i894-'95 the mortgage 
debt of long standing had been entirely cleared. In June, 1882, the 
debt was $121,368.68. From the first he bent his best energies toward 



8 9 

reducing this heavy obligation, upon which the college was paying a 
large sum of interest, annually. Since the Rev. Wm. F. Marshall first 
took the office of treasurer in 1881, more than $800,000 have passed 
through his hands, and he has expended over $45,000 in making 
various improvements, including the erection of the college building, 
which had been destroyed by fire in 1866. The year 1895 sees the 
debt canceled, the buildings offered a free gift to the Diocese of 
Newark, and, with the consecration of the chapel which is to take 
place in the autumn, this may be reckoned the golden year in the 
history of Seton Hall College. Grand Setonia— conceived by the 
noble and illustrious Archbishop Bayley, builded strong and well 
by Bishop McQuaid, completed and adorned by Archbishop Corri- 
gan and his brother, Rev. James H. Corrigan, and freed from debt 
and established beyond fear of failure by the prudent counsels and 
generous aid of Bishop Wigger. 



JUNE i9th, 1895. 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 



Rt. Rev. WINAND MICHAEL WIGGER, D.D., 

Bishop of Newark, N. J., President Ex-Officio. 

Rt. Rev. BERNARD J. McQUAID, D.D., 

Bishop of Rochester, N. Y. 

Rt. Rev. Mgr. GEORGE H. DOANE. 
Rt. Rev. Mgr. ROBERT SETOX, D.B. 
Rev. WILLIAM F. MARSHALL, A.M., 

Secretary. 

Very Rev. JOHN J. O'CONNOR, A. M. 

Rev. P. E. SMYTH, A.M. 

JOHN B. RICHMOND, M.D. 

MICHAEL J. LEDWITH, Esq. 

R. DUNCAN HARRIS, Esq. 

Hon. JAMES SMITH, Jr. 

T. O'CONOR SLOANE, A. M.. Ph. D. 



The aim of Seton Haei, is to impart a good education, in the highest 
sense of the word — to train the moral, intellectual and physical being. The 
health, manners and morals of the students are objects of constant care. The 
system of government combines strict discipline with kind and gentle treatment. 

Sisters of Charity have charge of the household affairs. 

Great attention is paid at all times to a generous furnishing of the table, 
and to the neatness and cleanliness of every part of the establishment. In 
sickness, should it occur, the students receive careful nursing. 

The Academic year, which consists of two terms of five months each, be- 
gins on the first Wednesday of September and ends on the second or third 
Wednesday of June. At Christmas there is a vacation of ten days and at Easter 
a few days ; at no other time are the students allowed to leave the College, 
except for reasons of great importance. 

Weekly reports of the classes are read before the professors and students. 
Monthly reports are sent to the parents or guardians. 

General examinations both written and oral are held at the end of each term. 

All students receive instruction in Military Science and Tactics from an 
officer of the U. S. Army, who is appointed by the Secretary of War, and all 
are obliged to wear the prescribed uniform during the hours of drill. 

Candidates for the degress of Bachelor of Arts, of Science, or of Accounts, 
are required to follow the studies of the respective courses and to pass satisfac- 
tory examinations in them. 

Graduates in the Classical Course may, on application, receive the degree 
of Master of Arts two years after they have finished the course of studies. 

The rules of the College require of all students a manly bearing, and kind, 
courteous deportment toward one another at all times ; application to study 
during the hours of study, and the thorough preparation and recitation of the 
lessons assigned. 

Applicants for admission must bring satisfactory testimonials of character. 

PRIZE FOUNDATIONS. 



The H.imilton-Ahern Gold Medal, for Good Conduct, founded 1865, by 
Messrs. Robert Hamilton, of Sacramento, Cal., and S. J. Ahern, of Eliza- 
beth, N. J. 

The Bossier Gold and Silver Medals, founded 1865, by A. Bossier, Esq., 
of Havana, Cuba, for the best recitations in the German Classes. 

The Seton Prize for Christian Doctrine, founded 1870, by the Rt. Rev. 
Mgr. Robert Seton, D. D., Prothonotary Apostolic. 

The Greek Prize, founded 1 871, by the Most Rev. J.RoosevEET BayeEY.D.D. 

The Philosophical Prize, founded 187 1, by the Rt. Rev. B. J. McQuaid, 
D.D., Bishop of Rochester. 

The Logic Prize, founded 187 1. 

The Oratorical Prize, founded 1871, by the Rev. P. Byrne. 

The Prizes for Natural Science, founded 187 1, by P. Barry, Esq., of 
Rochester, N. Y. 

The Prize for the best recitations in the Freshman Class, founded 1871, by 
the Most Rev. M. A. Corrigan, D.D., Archbishop of New York. 

The Ethical Prize, by the Rev. Wai. F. Marshaee. 

The Historical Prize, founded 1873, by Mrs. Kate Bruner, of New York. 

The Medals for Good Conduct are decided by the votes of the students; the 
other medals are decided by the standing of students in class during the entire 
year, and by written and oral examinations at the end of each term. 



9 2 




THE FACULTY. 



RT. REV. WINAND MICHAEL WIGGER, D.D., 
Resides at the College and exercises a general supervision over it. 

REV. WILLIAM F. MARSHALL, A.M., 

President and Treasurer. 

REV. JOAN A. STAFFORD, S.T.L., 

Vice President and Prof, of Eatin and English. 

Very Rev. JOHN J. O'CONNOR, A.M., 

Prof, of Eogic and Metaphysics. 

REV. JOSEPH J. SYNNOTT, D.D., 

Prof, of English. 

REV. HENRY C. PHELAN, D.D., 
Prof, of English literature, Christian Evidences and Eatin. 

T. O'CONOR SLOANE, A.M., E.M., Ph. D., 
Prof, of Physics, Chemistry, Mechanics and Astronomy. 

1ST Lieut. MICHAEL J. LENIHAN, 2nd U. S. Ineantry, 

Prof, of Military Science and Tactics, and Prof, of Mathematics. 

PHILIP G. LYONS, A.M., 

Prof, of Eatin, Greek and English. 

WILLIAM T. DEMPSEY, A.M., 
Prof, of Greek, English, Penmanship and Bookkeeping. 

JOHN J. MALARKEY, A.M., 
Prof, of Eatin, Greek and Political Economy. 

RUDOLPH F. vonKLENNER, A.M., Ph.D.. 

Prof, of French, German and History. 

BENJAMIN ZOLLNER, 

Prof, of Piano, Organ and Voice Culture. 

PASOUALE FRANCOLINO, 

Prof, of Violin. 

Dr. WM. PIERSON, 
Physician. 



COURSE OF STUDIES. 



SENIOR CLASS. 

Mental and Moral Philosophy . Psychology, Natural Theology and Ethics. 

Latin. Tacitus, Histories and Annals. Juvenal and Persius. Latin Themes. 

English Literature. Studies of Authors. Lectures. Original essays. 

Mathematics. Mechanics and Astronomy. 

Political Economy. 

History of European Civilization. 

Civil Polity. Brownson's American Republic. 

Elocution. Selected and original speeches. 

Universal Church History. 

Christian Doctrine and Lectures on the Evidences of Christianity. 

JUNIOR CLASS. 

Logic. Approved text books and lectures. 

Metaphysics. Ontology and Cosmology. 

Latin. Horace. Latin Composition and Prosody. 

Greek. Sophocles, GEvdipus the King. Demosthenes, On the Crown. Greek 

Themes. 
Mathematics. Analytical Geometry, Calculus, Surveying. 
Rhetoric. Analysis of speeches and works, of standard authors. Principles of 

Composition. Natural Philosophy. 
Ancient History. Approved text books and lectures. 
Elocution. Selected and original speeches; weekly in public. 
English Essays. Christian Doctrine. Church History. 

SOPHOMORE CLASS. 

Latin. Livy. Cicero's Orations. Latin Prose Composition and Prosody. 
Greek. Euripides' Alcestis, yEschylus' Prometheus Bound. Greek Themes. 
Mathematics. Solid Geometry. Plan and Spherical Trigonometry, and 

Algebra completed. 
English Literature. Studies of Authors and Lectures. 
Mediaeval and Modern History. 

Natural Philosophy. Chemistry with experiments. 
Elocution. Weekly recitations in public. 
English Prose and Poetical Composition. 
Christian Doctrine. 

FRESHMAN CLASS. 

Latin. Virgil. Latin Prose Composition. 

Greek. Homer's Iliad. Greek Etymology of English Words. Prose Com- 
position. Mythology. 
Mathematics. Algebra to Quadratics, and Plane Geometry. 
Rhetoric. Principles of English Composition. Studies in Authors. 
Natural Philosophy. Physics with experiments. 
History. History of the United States and England. 
Elocution. Recitations weekly. 
English Prose Composition. 
Bible History. 

04 



PREPARATORY DEPARTMEMT. 



FIRST PREPARATORY CLASS. 

Latin. Caesar and Nepos. Latin Grammar. Introduction to Latin Composi- 
tion. 

Greek. Xenophon's Anabasis. Greek Prose Composition. Greek Grammar. 

English Grammar, Composition and Reading. Etymology of English words 
and Definitions. 

Arithmetic. Complete. 

History. Universal. 

Geography . Advanced Geography and Map Drawing, 

Elements of Natural Science. 

Writing. The Spencerian System. 

Christian Doctrine. 

SECOND PREPARATORY CLASS 

Latin. Latin Grammar. Introductory Studies. 

Greek. Grammar and Reader. Written Exercises. 

English Grammar and Composition. 

Arithmetic. 

History. Elementary History of the United States. 

Geography. Intermediate Geography and Map Drawing. 

Reading, Spelling, Dictations and Definitions. 

Writing. The Spencerian System. 

Christian Doctrine. 

THIRD PREPARATORY CLASS 

English Grammar. Elementary. 

Arithmetic. Elementary. 

History. Elementary History of the United States. 

Geography. Introductory Geography and Map Drawing. 

Reading, Spelling, Dictation. 

Writing. The Spencerian Sy9tem. 

Christian Doctrine. 



COMMERCIAL COURSE. 



Book Keeping. 

Commercial Arithmetic. Algebra and Geometry. 

Commercial Law. Conveyancing, Drawing of Contracts, Deeds, Mortgages, 
Bonds, etc. 

Astronomy. Rhetoric. 

Stenography . English Grammar. 

Natural Philosophy. English Prose Composition. 

English History. Letter Writing. 

History of the United States. Penmanship. 

English Literature. Christian Doctrine. 

. 95 



EXPENSES. 



Tuition and Board of Students attending Senior, Junior, Sophomore 
or Freshman class, - per annum, 

Washing and mending clothes and linen, - " 

Physician's attendance and medicines, - - " 



Tuition and Board of Students in Preparatory Department, per annum, 
Washing and mending clothes and linen, - 

Physician's attendance and medicines, - 



$35o 00 
20 00 
10 00 

$380 00 

$300 00 
20 00 
10 00 

$33° 00 

#25 00 
50 00 
50 00 
60 00 
10 00 
10 00 



German, or French, each, ... p er annum, 

Drawing, - 

Stenography, - 

Music, Piano, Violin, Guitar and Cornet, each, 

Use of Piano, - 

Graduation fee and Diploma, 

Students in the Preparatory Department, attending any Freshman 

or higher class, are charged for each class, - per annum, 10 00 

A part of a month will be charged as a whole month. 

Should a student leave the College before the expiration of a term, no 
deduction will be made for the remainder of that term, except in case of 
dismissal or prolonged illness. 

Bills are presented at the beginning of each term, and are payable in 
advance. 

A student, on entering, should be supplied with sufficient clothing for the 
term. He should also have two silver spoons, knife and fork, and a napkin 
ring, all marked with his name, a sufficient number of towels and napkins, a 
toilet box and pair of gymnasium slippers. 

Articles of clothing, etc., will not be furnished to students without special 
instructions from parents and guardians, and in such case, a sum sufficient to 
defray probable expenses should be deposited with the Treasurer in advance. 

With regard to pocket money, it is desirable that parents should allow 
their sons but a moderate sum, and that this should be placed in the hands of 
the Treasurer, to be given as prudence may suggest. 

Parents or guardians residing out of the United States, or at a great dis- 
tance, must appoint a representative at some convenient place, who will be 
responsible for the regular payment of all expenses, and prepared to receive the 
student should it become necessary. 

Rev. Wm. F. Marshal, A.M., 

President 



BATTALION OFFICERS, JUNE, 189s 



STAFF. 

JOHN J. MCDONOUGH, Adjutant, 

J. MARSHALL VANNEMAN, Quartermaster Sergeant, 
EDWARD J. DUNPHY, Sergeant-Major, 

JOSEPH J. CONNOLLY, Quartermaster, 

EDWARD A. O'MEARA, Chief Musician, 
JAMES A. MORONEY and THOMAS J. BURDEN, Principal Musicians. 
Company A. Company B. 



James F. Hopkins, 



CAPTAINS. 



Thomas P. Riley. 



Mark J. Coad, 
Banks M. Moore, 



LIEUTENANTS. 



Joseph E. Corrigan, 
Matthew J. Farley. 



J. Victor Cain, 



ist SERGEANTS. 



John J. Conville. 



John A. McGeary, 
John E. Murray, 
George F. Bennett, 
Henry D. Costello, 
Francis B. Donohue, 



SERGEANTS. 

Laurence F. Smith, (National colors.) 
James Smith, Jr., (College colors.) 
James a. Lundy, 
Thomas F. Ruddin, 
James A. Mackinson. 



CORPORALS. 



Daniel F. Minahan, 
John M. McDonald, 
Thomas O' Conor Sloane, Jr, 
Nicholas Lawless, 



John J. Ratty, 
Thomas F. McCrann, 
Augustine T. Minahan, 
Charles L. Henriquez. 



Robert A. Roberts. 



LANCE CORPORALS. 

Theophilus H. Vanneman. 
97 



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